UIGEA Implementation Delay Likely

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UPDATE: Interactive Media Entertainment and Gaming Association (iMEGA) Chairman Joe Brennan is quoted by PokerNewsDaily confirming the delay: ““It’s encouraging that you’ve had this stay on the compliance, but it’s unfortunate that it took this long. We should all hope that in the next six months, a bill that already has 63 co-sponsors can be heard.”

One of the most anticipated dates in the online poker community – December 1st, 2009 – may end up being just another box on the calendar.

That was to be the date that banks and other financial institutions were to be required to be in full compliance with the ‘final rule’ of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). Several groups, including the Poker Player’s Alliance, various horse racing interests and members of the financial industry, have been petitioning the Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department (the federal agencies in charge of policing the rule) to delay implementation based on a wide array of concerns.

It appears their efforts may bear some fruit. According to a post on 2+2 from PPA Board Member Rich Muny, a temporary reprieve seems to have been won. There’s no official word from anyone yet, but Muny sounds optimistic. Excerpt:

“I’m hearing we’ll get a six month extension on UIGEA, but I don’t yet have final confirmation. You all know I wouldn’t post it unless I were reasonably sure of my information. I’ll post info as it becomes available.”

Whole thread here.

If you’re unsure of what the UIGEA final rule is and how it might impact online poker players, we’ve got a December 1st / UIGEA frequently asked questions document here.

If Muny’s right, the delay would represent a significant win for poker advocates (although having the muscle of complaints from the financial industry certainly bolstered the PPA’s ability to impact this issue). However, it’s important to remember that a delay is just that – not a reversal, but a temporary stay. Therefore, it’s critical that poker players of all stripes serve as advocates for the game.

For a complete suite of resources that will allow you to locate your federal representatives and provide you with material to send that will let them know how you feel about the current attack on personal freedoms that the UIGEA represents, visit the PPA Action Center here.

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