In a landmark move congressmen in North Dakota have passed a bill that may allow online poker operators to be licensed in the US for the first time.
The Internet Poker Bill, HB1509, would allow poker firms to locate servers in the state and offer their services to a global audience.
"We only have one chance to be the first state in the nation that's going to regulate and license this industry," Jim Kasper, the sponsor of the Bill, said.
Operators will be permitted to accept bets from the remaining 49 US states, although Kasper conceded they would be forced to honour any requests for states that had a legal objection.
However, he said he “did not believe” state laws would be applicable outside of their own borders.
“This is one of the things we have to address in the later stages of the Bill,” Kasper said.
The state’s House of Representatives passed the bill with a slim majority and it now goes to the Senate for further debate.
There are a number of shortfalls to North Dakota’s proposed regulation, including a requirement for all players to be licensed.
The state plans on charging players a US$10 registration fee, and hopes to license as many as 50 million players.
But Kasper said it would be possible for operators to pay the licensing fee on behalf of their players.
The Bill also requires voters to approve an amendment to the state’s constitution in order for it to become law.
Kasper said he estimated the bill would generate as much as U$40m in licensing revenue, and it has already been attracting industry interest.
And Bruce Stubbs, marketing director of Paradise Poker, said he would theoretically be interested in locating in the state.
“Hopefully the tide is turning and we will begin to see other states follow North Dakota’s lead in recognising poker as a game of skill,” Stubbs said.
source : egaming review magazine
