The deadline for the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) is set to take effect June 1^st and a number of politicians are working against the grind to get it repealed or delayed before it’s too late.

Republicans Barney Frank and Jim McDermott are at the forefront of this movement. They are looking to legalize, regulate and tax online gambling for the benefit of the government and American players.

Under their bill, a 6% tax would be levied on all deposits and paid to the state or tribal government the player resides in. In addition to that a 2% tax would be charged on all deposits for the federal government. It is estimated that if this bill went into effect that the government could see as much as $30 billion for states and tribal governments and $42 billion for the federal government in as little as a decade.

McDermott rightly argues that the potential source of revenue online gambling could provide cannot be ignored in today’s economy. He also argued that adults should have the right to spend their money how they see fit without interference from the government.

The bill was supposed to be considered in the House Financial Services Committee late last week but that did not occur. A vote is now due in spring and all online casinos will be watching developments closely.

Should the UIGEA go into effect before another piece of legislation goes through, many online casinos, poker rooms, and sports books could see their current business in the American market choked off or face persecution from the federal government.

Call or write to your local politicians today and make sure that they are representing your voice in the matter.