Rep. Joe Barton introduces bill to legalize Internet poker games

Friday, July 12, 2013
Filed Under: Compacts | Legislation
More on: 113th, house, internet, senate

Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) introduced H.R.2666, the Internet Poker Freedom Act of 2013, on Thursday.

The bill authorizes tribes and states to offer online poker games under their own laws. It ensures that tribes with existing poker operations can go online without being forced to renegotiate their Class III gaming compacts.

"United States consumers would benefit from a program of Internet poker regulation which recognizes the interstate nature of the Internet, but nevertheless preserves the prerogatives of states and federally recognized Indian tribes," the bill states.

In related news, the Senate Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Insurance will hold a hearing next Wednesday, July 17, to discuss online gaming issues.

Get the Story:
New online poker bill introduced in Washington (The Las Vegas Review-Journal 7/12)

Committee Notice:
The Expansion of Internet Gambling: Assessing Consumer Protection Concerns (July 17, 2013)

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Pala Band prepares to offer online poker games in California (7/10)