The hearing on Barney Franks bill, which will overturn the UIGEA, in the House Financial Services Committee is described as positive and dramatic, and possibly there will be a mark-up hearing next Monday.

The debate on the bill (HR 2267) by Barney Frank went as usual, with anti-gambling lobbyist Spencer Bachus taking the fight against the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act (the Barney Frank bill). And Barney Frank who struggling to regulate and legalize online gambling. Beside Bachus, Michael Fagan who is described as a “law enforcement consultant” and the Casino operator Tom Malkasian also testified against the bill.

A board member of the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), a financial service company spoke about the difficulties that financial services companies face to meet the stringent rules, in order to counter illegal Internet gambling transactions. He said that Barney Frank’s legislation, would make enforcement easier, while offering financial service company’s help to meet the UIGEA.

The professional poker player Annie Duke was also present at the hearing, she said: “This Committee and this Congress should not tolerate laws that seek to prevent responsible adults from playing a game we find stimulating, challenging and entertaining,H.R. 2267 provides this freedom in a safe and regulated gambling environment and I urge everyone on this Committee to support this common sense policy.” The most remarkable situation, was the debate between Duke and Bachus, when Bachus used the UB scandal as an argument against the bill. Duke improved Bachus by naming the exact amount as to what was involved in the scandal, and by saying that the situation is exactly why the government should intervene.

Barney Frank’s bill will possibly go the next phase next week, Congressman John Campbel hinted afterwards, but there is still no official confirmation.