On Wednesday May 6th 2009 Massachusetts Democrat Barney Frank introduced a bill that would regulate online gaming including online bingo. The bill would reverse the damage done by the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) and restore individual liberty for online bingo players. Frank introduced a similar bill in the last congressional session which went nowhere but with Democrats controlling both houses of congress and the White House the bill has a strong chance of passing.

The bill has faced strong opposition from anti gambling extremists like Alabama Republican Bachus and fringe groups like Focus on the Family. Senate passage may be difficult but the bill’s supporters are confident of passage. Frank’s bill would give the Treasury Secretary the responsibility of licensing and regulating online bingo firms doing business in the US. News of the bill’s introduction has had an affect on gaming stocks in European stock markets. Shares of PartyGaming, one of the world’s largest online gaming firms rose 7.3% on the London stock exchange.

Frank’s bill also proposes safeguards against underage and compulsive gambling. Typically these are not problems in the online bingo industry. The changed political climate in Washington has raised optimism among online gaming companies. Nick Batram of KBC Peel Hunt in London stated, “A lot of people are saying the political balance in the U.S. has changed quite dramatically which gives pro-gaming a better chance. But it’s an extremely complex matter and people feel very strongly about it.”

Opposition to the bill consists of the usual suspects, fringe groups like the Christian Coalition and Focus on the Family. Most polls show overwhelming support for legalized online gaming. Online bingo players have been shut out of many overseas websites and Frank’s bill would allow some online bingo providers to be licensed, regulated, and taxed while providing online bingo to US players. In the very near future US online bingo players may see a flurry of activity as online bingo websites compete for US players.