Bill Introduced To Exempt Poker From UIGEA

Robert Wexler, a Democrat representative from Florida, has introduced legislation that would exempt online poker from the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). The "Skill Games Protect Act" would exempt poker, chess, mah jong, and other "skill" games from the UIGEA.

The bill would still expressly forbid minors from betting money online, as well as allow states to prohibit all online gambling if it is against their laws.

Pro-poker groups such as the Poker Players Alliance have championed this sort of congressional bill. Wexler's bill is the second bill introduced this Congressional session that directly challenges the UIGEA. Earlier this year, Barney Frank introduced legislation that aims to legalize and regulate all online gambling in the United States, including online casino games. Frank's bill is distinctly different from Wexler's, which only aims to exempt skill games from the UIGEA.

The UIGEA was surreptitiously passed in late September by being added as a rider onto another "must-pass" piece of legislation. Most reputable online poker rooms ceased servicing US players as a result of the UIGEA's passage.

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