US Congress Sees New Federal Online Poker Bill

New York Congressman Peter King has introduced another attempt at federal legislation of internet gambling, but this time the bill looks beyond the question of online poker.

Federal Online Gambling Attempt

The Internet Gambling, Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act of 2013 aims to legalize online gambling at the federal level through a system of licensing and regulation, and attempts to address the current situation in which internet gambling is decided on a state-by-state basis.

The legislation would establish standard online gambling regulations across the 50 states, while allows existing state laws to continue operating within the borders of those respective states. According to King, it would ensure strong consumer protection and make it easier for all Americans to freely participate.

Current State of Play

Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware have all passed laws approving some of form of online gambling in the past year. Nevada's law authorizes local firms to host internet gambling for non-state residents. This effectively creates a nationwide framework for online gaming despite the failure of federal regulation attempts.

These three states have led the way in online gambling legislation since a US Department of Justice ruling in 2012 that in-state online poker does not violate federal law. Previously, it was thought that in-state gaming was in violation of the 2006 UIGEA, which effectively outlawed online gambling across the US.