Barney Frank Preparing for UIGEA Onslaught

According to Poker Player newspaper, Congressman Barney Frank (D-Mass.), is gearing up for an all-out blitz on the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act around April 18. Two weeks ago, the Financial Times reported that Rep. Frank was working on a repeal of the UIGEA. Now, it looks like there is some sort of timetable.

Rep. Frank has been one of the most outspoken opponents of the UIGEA, calling it one of the “stupidest laws” ever passed. He feels, as many people do, that it infringes on the rights of adults to do what they want in the privacy of their own homes. If it does not hurt anybody, why does the government have a problem with it? 

The Poker Player article also said that Rep. Frank is consulting with Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-Nev.), another loud voice against the UIGEA. Rep. Berkley told the newspaper that Frank wants to “put forth a bill that will stay focused in the Financial Services Committee,” the committee which Frank now chairs.

While Frank has said he does not have plans to work specifically with the Poker Players Alliance, he did tell Poker Player that he has at least spoken with the PPA’s new chairman, former Senator Alfonse D'Amato.