Great poker news for USA players is that the Bush administrations UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) which was set to be enforced from 1st December 2009 is expected to be pushed back by a further six months until 1st June 2010.

Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) is expected announce tomorrow (Friday) or at the latest Monday, that the U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has agreed to delay the compliance date as set out by the Poker Players Alliance’s petition which aimed for a full years grace to be given a comprise was reached and a rumoured 6 month extension granted.

Under the UIGEA, banks and credit card processors are held responsible for ensuring that no “illegal” Internet gambling money transfers occur, which would severely dent the USA poker market as no Americans would be able to play for real money, if the law was enforced. It would also prove difficult to cash out their winnings.

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Plans are currently underway at Obama’s administration to proceed with introducing internet gambling law for the USA, drafts of which can be expected as early as March 2009 which will be headed by Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) who currently chairs the US House Financial Services Committee, the new online gambling legislation is set to address the vagueness of the previously passed (UIGEA) Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.

Now that the $700 Billion bailout has been approved by the US Senate and the house of representatives, Washington can focus on internet gaming. Obama’s team will be looking for any means available to help fund the massive bailout package and what better source than taxing internet gaming operators an industry in the USA worth potentially billions of dollars in taxes to the US government.

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Barney Frank’s Payments System Protection Act has been voted through by the Financial Services Committee with 30 – 19 votes in favor of the bill. Great news for US players as this is a step forward for online poker to be legal, unless it is forbidden by state law like it is in Washington.

The bill was written to ensure that UIGEA regulations would not effect the bank systems or financial industry in the USA.

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