The House Financial Services Committee approved a bill that will licence and regulate online gambling in the United States in a 41-22-1 vote. The decision was made on the 28^th of July 2010 and will have far reaching implications on the online gambling industry.

 In 2008, Committee Chairman Barney Frank attempted to halt the implementation of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act and this latest decision delineates the changing opinions of the Democratic Congress.

 The first attempt to halt the implementation of the UIGEA failed based on a 32-32 vote and did not pass the Committee. A second bill, which pertained exclusively to sports betting, was passed by the Committee based on a 30-19 vote. However, this decision was not voted on by the full House of Representatives.

 Two years later in 2010, Frank’s Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act (HR 2267) resulted in the majority of Republicans voting against the bill. The vote was 18 against the bill with only 7 supporting the bill. Whilst, 34 Democrats voted for the bill and 4 voted against it. Republican, Ron Paul voted present and 7 members of the committee did cast their vote on the matter.

 The implication is that if the bill is passed by the House, it will then be taken up at Senate level and will require the presidential signature. This decision needs to be made before the end of the legislative session which ends in December. If this decision is not made within the specified time parameters the process will have to start again the following year. By that time, the House and Senate will comprise of different members implying that the decision making process will thus be further extended.