Frank to introduce standalone gambling bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- As reported by Gaming Intelligence: "Continuing his efforts to dismantle the anti-online gambling legislation passed by the Bush Administration, Congressman Barney Frank will introduce a bill which would establish a licensing and regulatory framework for online gambling operators before the end of April as a standalone bill.

"Barney Frank, Chairman of the US House Financial Services Committee, told The Hill congressional newspaper last week that the bill, Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act (H.R. 2046), would be a standalone bill despite the fact that Republicans added the legislation on the back of a vital port security bill in the 109th Congress.

"Commentators have suggested that the decision to introduce the bill as a standalone bill would make it even more difficult for it to pass through Congress. Congressman Frank said however that it would be 'inappropriate' to follow the Republicans' path. "That is not my intention. It would be a mistake. I want to do this with hearings, discussions and votes," Frank told The Hill.

"...Jeffrey Sandman, spokesman for the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative which backs Frank's bill, told The Hill: 'We welcome a standalone bill, which would allow for a thorough discussion of all the issues relating to regulations and consumer protections.

"'The excitement over Congressman Frank's bill is that it would create an environment that would protect American consumers and include safeguards against underage gambling and compulsive gambling, which don't exist right now,' said Sandman..."