New Legislation Could Make Online Poker Legal Across US in 2017

The Gaming Accountability and Modernization Enhancement Act (GAME), introduced by New Jersey Democrat Rep. Frank Pallone looks to not only make online sports betting legal across the US, it will also look to legalize Web casinos and Internet poker.

Much of this week’s attention to the bill has centered on the elimination of the current Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) that bans the activity in all but a handful of states.

American Gaming Association president and CEO Geoff Freeman said , "President Trump will have sports betting legislation on his desk during his term”.

In past years, any inclusion of legalized sports wagering would have been a nonstarter. 

Not any more.

Even the National Basketball Association has come out in favor of legalizing sports betting throughout the USA.  Only the National Football League and NCAA have spoken out against the idea (albeit the NFL has not held as steadfast a position as in years past).

Online poker is already legal at the state level in Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey.  Internet casino games are also permitted in the Garden State.

The bill would essentially open the doors for states to allow sports betting while some, like Utah, would have the ability to opt out.  States like New Jersey do not permit anyone to place bets with their licensed sites beyond the state’s borders, however, residents of other states may do so when visiting New Jersey.

The legislation has a long uphill battle especially in a heavily charged bipartisan atmosphere where very few bills are being passed through Congress.

- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com