Online Poker: Republican Still Wants to Legalize it

In another sign that things are turning around for the better with online poker, Republican representative Jim Kasper from North Dakota has told Gambling911.com that he would like to explore licensing and regulating internet poker once again in his state of North Dakota.

Jim Kasper was the first politician to propose legalization of online poker and looked forward to drafting new legislation this year, that is until Congress threw a curve ball and passed a new law that would make it illegal to use a credit card for betting online.  Banks would also be held responsible for monitoring online poker transactions. 

In fact, North Dakota State Rep. Jim Kasper says, "My fellow Republicans just don't get it" when it comes to Internet gambling.

Last July, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006, which eventually got passed into law only by hijacking a more crucial port security act. 

Kasper called the proposal "ridiculous."

Kasper said he was likely to give up his effort to make North Dakota a licensing agency for Internet poker sites following the passage of this new law. He has promoted the idea as a way for the state treasury to make millions from licensing fees, and said the state-owned Bank of North Dakota could profit from handling gambling transactions.

"I was saddened to see what the Republican Congress did," Kasper said. "It was a terrible way to make public policy."

Now Mr. Kasper has decided the time is right once again.  He told our Kira Wissman he will be pursuing new legislation soon.

Already, Congressman Barney Frank has announced he is going to work on repealing the UIGEA.  Good news for online gamers all around.

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Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com