15month US online poker blackout starting Jan !!??

[islandtime2]

What have you folks heard about the pending 15month blackout period for online poker starting in January? Supossedly, if I have heard and understand correctly, Harry Reid has tacked this on to the tax bill being ramrodded through congress this month. If it passes then online poker will be officially legal by federal law but only after a 15month blackout period starting in Jan durring which poker sites are supposed to shut down in the US and apply for licenses and the govt works out details of regulation. The licensed sites will then be allowed to re-open in the US sometime in March 2012.

I have read some posts elsewhere where this is supposed to be a great thing long term but I have not heard much about the short term.

If this gets close to a done deal should we get all our monies out of sites and payment processors now anticipating difficulties getting to them if/when this thing passes?

[TeUnit]

its scary, but not much you can do about it

grind now or forever hold your piece.....

gl at the tables,

t

[islandtime2]

Here is an interesting blog from 12/10 with some details from the cardplayer site:

http://www.cardplayer.com/poker-blog...-the-reid-bill

[TeUnit]

thanks island that was a good reid

gl at the tables,

t

[lunarphase]

The bill is all but dead thank goodness.

http://www.pocketfives.com/articles/...-short-586074/

[luckyhearts]

I try to be optimistic about this, but am failing miserably.....all i see is big brother coming...gl us.

[Vex444]

The bill sucks but it better than nothing. At this point doubt it be attached to the Tax bill.

[ninixnini]

the bill looks dead for this lame duck session and any bill/legalization is doubtful with the new republican controlled congress. the big question is will the fed step up enforcement of UGEIA and go after the remaining payment processors. a bad bill might have been better than no online poker at all.

[TeUnit]

glad its the bill is dead......i think i am glad

gl at the tables,

t

[PokerPadre]

I found info about the bill very confusing. Hmm, something written by lawyers confusing??? Go figure, lol.

It sounded like they were trying to rig it so b&m casinos/poker rooms would have the advantage during the 'blackout' period which would penalize any sites that were/are in violation of the UGEIA currently.

Sounds like they want to make whatever poker sites to have ALL their facilities actually here in USA.

I figure it will be another 2 - 4 years before anything substantial actually gets going.

See you at the tables,

PokerPadre