Category: Regulatory Law

December 20, 2012

N.J. Again Passes Online-Poker Bill; Decision Now in Governor’s Hands

New Jersey could soon become the third state to legalize online gaming within its borders. Its State Senate on December 20, 2012, voted 33-3 to legalize online poker in the state. The General Assembly had previously approved the bill by a vote of 48-25-3. The bill was able to achieve significant bipartisan support in both… Read More

October 24, 2012

Reid-Kyl Bill Would Legalize Online Poker at Federal Level

A draft of the online poker bill that Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) plan to introduce was released this week. The bill, known as the “Internet Gambling Prohibition, Poker Consumer Protection, and Strengthening UIGEA Act of 2012” would legalize online poker at the federal level, a step that became possible last… Read More

December 26, 2011

New DOJ Opinion Paves Way to Legal Online Poker

On December 23, 2011, the U.S. Department of Justice revealed that it has reversed a long-held position by stating that the Wire Act applies only to sports betting. This marks a major change in policy for DOJ, which has long contended that the Wire Act prohibits all forms of Internet gambling, including poker. Late that… Read More

August 2, 2011

Illinois Court Ruling Upholds State’s New Video Gaming Act

In a 7-0 decision, the Illinois Supreme Court recently upheld legislation that will allow video gaming in the state for the first time. Earlier this month, the court ruled in favor of the Illinois legislature’s 2009 omnibus bill for funding capital projects that included the Video Gaming Act. The legislation had been challenged by Chicago… Read More

June 26, 2011

New House Bill May Open Door to Legal Online Poker

The momentum toward federal legalization of online poker took a significant step forward on Friday, June 24, when Rep. Joe Barton (R-Tex.) held a press conference to discuss the details of his legalization bill. The “Internet Gambling Prohibition, Poker Consumer Protection, and Strengthening UIGEA Act of 2011” would both legalize online poker and create a… Read More

June 17, 2011

Online Poker Finds New Supporter on the Hill

Legalization of online poker has found a new and unlikely supporter on Capitol Hill. Rep. Joe Barton (R-Tex.), an outspoken conservative, has announced that he will support legalization and is planning some parliamentary maneuvers to try to get it to the House floor eventually. It turns out that in addition to being a conservative, Rep…. Read More

March 24, 2011

The Great Race: Legal Online Poker Advances in Nevada, Hawaii Legislatures

Hearing Clarifies Issues in Nevada The Nevada Assembly Committee on Judiciary met on March 24, 2011, to discuss AB 258, which would provide for the licensing and operation of Internet poker in Nevada for the first time. Committee members were, not surprisingly, interested in the possible benefit or harm to Nevada’s existing bricks-and-mortar gaming industry… Read More

January 13, 2011

Online Gaming on Path to Legalization in New Jersey

It appears that New Jersey will very soon become the first state to legalize and regulate Internet gambling. On January 10, 2011, the New Jersey State Assembly overwhelmingly passed an online gaming bill. This bill was passed by the state Senate, also overwhelmingly, late last year, and all that remains for the bill to become… Read More