Harry Reid Prepared to Introduce New Online Poker Legislation: Has Needed Votes

Las Vegas Advisory has revealed that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) is preparing to unveil new federal legislation to make real money online poker legalized in the US.

From Las Vegas Advisory:

• August 9, 2013 08:52 Reid to Bring New Federal Online-Poker Bill: We’ve gotten word that big moves are brewing in the jockeying for U.S. online-gambling supremacy. After declaring the effort to pass a bill creating Federal oversight dead, Nevada Senator Harry Reid is preparing to introduce a new poker-only bill that’s believed to have the support (and votes) necessary to pass before the end of this year. Integral to the plan is a compact between Nevada and New Jersey that would establish a joint online-governing body between the two states. Check back shortly for an expanded discussion, which we’ll put up in "Spotlight" later today.

Over the past few months both Congressman Peter King (R-New York) and Joe Barton (R-Texas) have introduced bills in the House that Reid immediately shot down as “unlikely to have enough votes”. 

Reid, who is under mounting pressure from the casino industry to get something done, has previously worked with fellow Nevada Republican Senator Dean Heller to draft online poker legislation that ultimately failed to pass before a year’s end deadline in 2011.

- Chris Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher