Lindsey Graham introduced a new bill to congress the Restoration of America’s Wire Act which will prohibits all forms of Internet gambling and includes online poker.

The bill was introduced to congress on Wednesday and was backed by nine state representatives. If passed the bill will make any forms of betting online, illegal under federal law.

Backed by Sheldon Adelson, billionaire Las Vegas Sands Casino CEO, in his War on Online Poker and online gambling.

Political analysts have predicted that the bill will most probably not even be up for voting in 2014.

The Democratic Governors Association claims that if the law were to be passed it would also affect the lottery which would lose $20 billion in states revenue.
Read more about the Restoration of America’s Wire Act

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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