The NFL had been a staunch opponent of Rep. Frank’s legislation that would regulate/legalize online poker.  No more.  As a result of Rep. Frank amending his legislation to prohibit sports betting, the NFL has decided to withdraw its opposition.  Do not underestimate the effect of this development.  The NFL is a powerful voice on the Hill, with its tentacles in many powerful lobbies (TV, for one) and many Congresspeople concerned about drawing the league’s ire.  Sports bettor may not be rejoicing, but poker players surely are.

Harrah’s is engaging in a massive PR campaign to publicize its free poker site.  But get this, the site is run by Dragonfish, which operates a real-money site in the UK.  This move comes hot on the heels of the positive House Committee vote on Rep. Frank’s bill to legalize/regulate online poker, the momentum gained since with additional Congresspeople voicing their support of the bill, and rumors that any bill that legalizes online poker will explicitly outlaw any site that operated in violation of U.S. law (i.e., FullTilt, PokerStars, and even possibly PartyPoker — a great comment to an earlier post by me notes that Party admitted guilt a while back to avoid serious sanctions).  Looks like Harrah’s is using the period before (crossing fingers) legalization to fine-tune its software and build a fan base.  They even soon will offer prizes, such as main event entries.  It may not be “gambling” — you are not putting up your on money — but it is mighty enticing.  Anyway, if I’m FTP, PS, or Party, I would be getting a wee bit nervous.  Harrah’s is a major casino player with a strong lobbying influence.  This shot over the bow is one that should be heeded.  How though, is an entirely different question.

Many a young poker player (and some not so old at this point), cut their teeth on PartyPoker.  The golden days if you will.  These same players were devastated when PartyPoker decided to pull out of the U.S. market in the wake of the passage of the UIGEA.  In came FullTilt and PokerStars, primarily.  The games were not he same, but still a nice alternative.  FTP and PS made a reputed windfall at PartyPoker’s expense.  They won the short-term.  But the recent legislative push in the U.S. appears to be moving toward prohibiting licensing sites that violated the UIGEA.  Read: FTP and PS will be prohibited from operating while PokerStars (and other sites not currently operating in the U.S.) could be licensed.  Assuming this path is the one that ultimately is approved by Congress, PartyPoker (primed with its recent merger with Bwin) is on the precipice of another fortune.  Basically, a monopoly in the U.S. until other sites catch up (or FTP and PS reorganize under other names).  As any good poker player knows, you should view poker as one long session.  All that matters is good decisions and winning in the end.  PartyPoker is teaching this to poker players on a mega scale.  PartyPoker made what could be the best decision of them all (a strategic withdrawal from the U.S. for many years) to secure the long-term win (getting licensed and profiting indefinitely, and legally).  Poker players take note.  “Instant” gratification is fleeting.

H.R. 2267, the bill that would regulate on-line poker (and essentially overturn the UIGEA) was passed by the House Financial Services Committee by a 41-22 vote.  This is sensational news for poker players.  Next step likely is a full House vote (after, I am sure, multiple rounds of bill tweaking).  Check out the PPA’s press release on the Committee vote.

Updating the major UIGEA story of this week, the House Committee vote on H.R. 2267 has been adjourned until today.  It originally was scheduled for yesterday.  Stay tuned for the results.

The House Financial Services Committee will vote tomorrow on Rep. Frank’s bill, H.R. 2267.  If it becomes law, online poker will be legal (and regulated).  Poker organizations are doing much to helps this cause.  For example, the following is text from an email Greg Raymer (on behalf of the PPA) sent to many people today:

“On Tuesday July 27th, the House Financial Services Committee will vote on H.R. 2267, the Internet Gambling, Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act. This bill will secure your right to play online poker in the United States. Passage of this bill is the first step to undo the ill-conceived Unlawful Internet Gambling and Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA).

Your member of Congress serves on this committee and will vote on this bill, and we need your help.

Please join us and the Poker Players Alliance by going to http://www.pokerstars.standupforpoker.com. This website provides you three simple – and quick – ways to contact your Representative and urge their support for H.R. 2267.

On the site, you can either email, tweet or call your member of Congress. It’s simple and won’t take much of your time. Simply visit http://www.pokerstars.standupforpoker.com and follow the directions.

Thank you in advance for your help on this issue of such great importance to your freedom to play poker on the internet.

Regards,
Greg Raymer
Team PokerStars Pro
PPA Board of Directors”

If legalizing poker is a cause you support, consider voicing your opinion to your Congressional representative, especially if s/he is on the House Committee.

I could try to summarize Wednesday’s House Committee hearing on Rep. Frank’s bill which would alter the UIGEA, but this Cardplayer article does an excellent job.  No need to reinvent the wheel.  Enjoy.

The House Financial Services Committee hearing on the UIGEA is today at 1 pm [NOTE:  updated to 2 pm].  If you want to listen to the hearing, use this link.  Should be interesting.

Mark down July 21 in your poker calendars.  (How many poker players actually keep calendars?)  That’s the day the House Financial Services Committee will hear testimony on Barney Frank’s (Rep.-MA) bill that would legalize and regulate online poker.  Needless to say, it’s  big day.  So if you’re in DC, stop by Room 2128 of the Rayburn House Office Building at 1 pm.  For more information on the hearing/bill, check this article out.

Full Tilt Poker became the first major U.S. site to officially and publicly push for legaliztion of online poker in the U.S.  Just recently, the site began to encourage its players to petition their Congresspeople to vote for legislation which would legalize online poker.  The site’s effort comes just ahead of what is supposed to be the week in which the House Financial Services Committee hears Rep. Barney Frank’s (D-MA) bill.