Barney Frank's anti-UIGEA bill delayed till September

Congressman Barney Frank’s bill to overturn America’s Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) will now not be voted on until Congress returns after the summer recess.

A spokeswoman for the Financial Services Committee, which Frank chairs, confirmed the hearing for Frank’s Internet Gambling Regulation Consumer Protection & Enforcement Act would likely not take place until after the summer due to the urgent need for the committee to deal with legislation aimed at bolstering the US economy against the global slowdown.

“We are looking at days in September for the hearing,” the spokeswoman confirmed to EGRMagazine.com.

As also reported on EGRmagazine.com, the US is under pressure from the European Union to drop its protectionist gambling regulations, which the EU says are in breach of World Trade Organisation rules.

In a separate challenge to UIGEA, American lobby group the Interactive Media and Gaming Association (iMEGA) is to battle the US Department of Justice in a court battle to have UIGEA declared unconstitutional.