Also from Gambling Compliance … This may be kinda old news now, but something else GC made available for all us poker plebes is their July interview with Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA), sponsor of HR 2268, the legislation that lays out the structure for a new federal online gambling taxing machine, and the \”companion bill\” for Barney Frank\’s HR 2267, which, of course, sets up the bureaucracy that poker players collectively have been clamoring for.
McDermott makes a cautious prediction starting at about 4:57, saying, \”It is very very likely that this bill will pass\” before the end of the year. He then explains how and why he believes online gambling supporters on the Hill can win over the necessary Congressfolk, \”one Member at a time\”:
This interview came before the HR 2267 mark-up hearing, where the bill moved forward with a bigger margin of bipartisan victory than expected … presumably made easier by the various amendments added by representatives from across the country and across the political spectrum.
Because you can\’t have McDermott\’s bill, 2268, without 2267 — and 2267 means little in terms of practical application without 2268 — they totally go together. But until the two are merged, this dual-bill process also creates additional spots for cutthroat backstabbing shenanigans parliamentary maneuvers across the aisle should some influential sort not like the way the bill is taking shape for their client/big-donor\’s competitive interest. I\’m pretty sure that\’s how it works … but to borrow a phrase from McDermott, not gonna say 100 percent.
So … watch and see?