Senator Robert Menendez Introduces Online Skill Games Regulation Bill

The poker circuit could greatly benefit from yet another pro-poker game proposal introduced to the US Senate on August 6th, 2009. The Online Skill Games Regulation Bill S8309 is the brainchild of Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey and the major difference between it and similar pro-poker proposals is that it only addresses online poker and other games of skill.

Senator Menendez's poker proposal aims to establish a regulatory framework permitting online poker organizations to register in the United States. It would also put in place player protections including age-verification features and blocks for states where online poker is not yet allowed.

Of important interest to poker players is a proposed ten percent tax on all deposits, representing one of the first times an actual data has been given in regards to taxes that the United States government might be interested in enforcing should internet poker be regulated.

The online poker proposal is expected to receive support from different financial organization across the US, which were charged with task of dismissing individual bank transactions based on the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), which was approved on October 13th, 2006.

August 19, 2009
William Atkins