Online Poker Amendment Rumored to Be Added to Payroll Tax Bill

In recent weeks, rumors have swirled around the poker community that lawmakers in Washington D.C. may be negotiating to attach online poker legislation to an upcoming bill in Congress. Those rumor gained a air of validity this week as word has leaked that an online poker bill may be attached to a Payroll Tax Bill that is currently being debated in congress.

On Friday, an article was posted on The Daily Helmsman that cited a source as saying that “Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid plans to propose an online gaming amendment to the Senate’s unemployment payroll tax bill this month.” A bit later, @GlobalGamingBiz posted on twitter ”Source: NV Gov. Sandoval calls top casino execs and tells them of agreement between Reid & Kyl, adding internet poker to payroll tax bill.”

The ironic part about this latest revelation, if true, is that online poker legalization could be passed in much the same way as the UIGEA was passed in 2006. The UIGEA was originally signed into law as part of the SAFE Port Ace in 2006.

While these latest rumors sound good, additional details have failed to be revealed since Friday and some wonder whether the reports are more wishful thinking than actual reporting. In addition, there is no guarantee that the Payroll Tax Bill as it currently stands could be passed. According to reports, Democrats and Republicans are at a near impasse on the bill and one has to wonder whether adding online poker would just present another stumbling block.

In addition, certain Congressional leaders have spoken out regarding online poker legislation currently being suggested as it does not take the concerns of Indian Tribes into account. Representative Mary Bono Mack (R-CA) and Senator Daniel Akaka (D-Hi) posted a blog on thehill.com that essentially ostracized leaders for ignoring Indian interests.

As a provider of over 40% of the gaming in the United States per year, Congressional leaders may well be making a huge mistake by not including tribes in legal negotiations regarding online gambling. Of course, an amendment has not been publicly announced and could still fall through at this point, but many are hopeful that an amendment will be announced officially in the near future.

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