The long awaited progress to legalize and regulate online gambling in the United States may be just around the corner. The HR2267 Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act proposed by Congressman Barney Frank, has 66 congressional co-sponsors in favor of the bill. This may mean that Frank could soon be ready to make his next move to legalize online gambling according to reports at Cardplayer.com.

The online poker news source conducted a two part interview with Poker Players Alliance chairman and executive, John Pappas who shared his optimism regarding the possibility of the passing of the bill. He believes that the legislation could be moving to mark-up sometime before the spring which is quite soon.

The Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act was introduced to Congress and filed with the House Financial Services Committee by Frank in May of 2009. A non-voting hearing was conducted in December of 2009 to discuss the bill in detail. Pappas believes that the next steps will most likely be a congressional mark-up. This is where the bill is read out loud to the members of congress and the Committee giving them the perfect opportunity to make known any concerns or questions pertaining to the bill.

Persons with inside knowledge about the bill’s progress are quite certain that the mark-up will come as early as this month of March if not some time in spring. The mark-up hearing is especially important because legislation from the Unlawful Internet Gambling and Enforcement Act is scheduled to become mandatory by the first of June 2010.

The Poker Players Alliance has been spreading awareness regarding these issues in recent months to hopefully bring recognition to online gambling legalization in the US. This is most likely in preparation for the imminent vote that will occur eventually when Congress feels the time is right.

To read the full interview with John Pappas click here.