Senate Vote for Online Poker Ban Approaches

In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Congressman Jim Leach approached the public to reopen discussions of the online poker ban which he cosponsored in the House of Representatives. Calling it a "field hearing", Leach is getting the buzz going on the bill that passed the House in a vote of 317 to 93, and Leach was joined by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist in order to build support for the bill. Reconvening on Tuesday for the fall session, the Senate will have to take a look at the Unlawful Gambling Enforcement Act, something that the Independent Community Bankers of America came out in opposition to - primarily because the human and economic costs that banks would have to undergo in order to enforce the ban would be prohibitive. No word yet on the American Banking Association opinion, but experts think they will not be in favor of the bill either.