The American poker world lost one of its most important allies off the tables this week. Barney Frank
Although his name became mainly known for his fight for LGBTQ+ rights and for being co-author of the Dodd-Frank law after the 2008 financial crisis, within the poker community he will be remembered as one of the great promoters of online poker regulation in the United States.
Barney Frank Fought Against The Law That Emerged With Poker Black Friday.
The politician who fought for online poker
Frank, a Democratic representative from Massachusetts for more than three decades, became a key figure for the industry after publicly opposing the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act), legislation passed in 2006 that severely hit online gambling in U.S. territory. For many players and operators, that law marked the beginning of dark years for online poker.
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Convinced that poker was a game of skill and not just chance, Frank introduced a bill in 2007 to repeal the UIGEA and later promoted H.R. 2267, known as the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act. His proposal sought to establish a federal regulatory framework for online poker, including security controls and taxation.
During those years, he also became one of the great allies of the now-defunct Poker Players Alliance, a group that defended the rights of American players amid the growing crackdown on online gambling.
Although Frank left Congress in 2013 and never saw a full federal regulation of online poker, many within the industry consider that his work paved the way for states like Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware to begin authorizing and regulating legal platforms.
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