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Texas Republican Congressman Joe Barton is set to reveal his latest bill that would legalize online poker at the federal level.
“It’s not a question of if my bill passes….It’s a question of when,” he says in a video interview with Gambling Compliance.
Barton, a poker player himself, explains that he does not yet have an agreement with Chairman Upton to hold a hearing as it applies to his bill.
“I am hopeful that I will be able to get that,” he stated. “I’d like to move the bill. I really thought I had a good chance of moving the bill in the last Congress.”
Barton added: “With the states acting and with some of the court rulings and the Justice Department ruling, time is on our side and, in my mind, it is not a question of if but a question of when.”
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Barton went on to explain that his bill is “very state friendly” and would include an opt-out provision whereby a state Governor can simply submit a letter. Like with the horse racing sector, legalized poker at the federal level would likely see a few dozen states electing to opt out, then opt back in again as administrations and lobbying efforts warrant. Barton admits he has only played online for play money. “I’m a great play money player,” he quipped. |
- Ace King, Gambling911.com
