This is not just another attempt going on to legalize poker in the US...it is THE attempt.

My honest guesstimate is that there is a 20% chance that poker will be legalized in the US come the end of this month. Harry Reid who sits atop the US Senate has been trying to hurry this bill through, and this is the best shot that legal online poker in the US has seen since Bush shut it down.

This won't include games like blackjack or baccarat (thank god) as poker is a game of skill. The lead up to this has been mind consuming to say the least.

As an affiliate, the bill would cut my largest sources of income out since they have been operating illegally in the US over the past several years (they would not be able to get back into the US market until after they apply and get accepted for a license). That sucks.

On the other hand, this is could be an opportunity to start something newer and bigger. If Harrah's opens up their own online casino, where do affiliates play a roll if they have any role at all? The other opportunity is the more obvious one...welcome all the fish back to the tables and play as many hands with them as I can before they learn how to play or before I get burnt out.

Either way, I think I'm more excited about the lead up to all of this then I will be once the US government announces what role, if any, online poker will play in our country. It's like slowly creeping up to the top of a roller coaster only to take the elevator back down.

Reid pushes online poker legislation but finds the deck stacked - CNN.com

not sure what you've been reading, but the bill wont pass, and hasnt passed


and probably wont pass in the near future

source

Reid's office: Legalizing online poker still on lame-duck agenda - The Policy Racket - Las Vegas Sun

Originally Posted by KnightofNarg

^He doesn't think it's going to pass either.

Agreed. When I say that this is online poker's "best" shot at getting legalized, I don't necessarily mean that it's a "good" shot. Each day passing brings down the probability that this will go through. Recent developments has it at less than 10% imo.

Again, I don't think it's a good or a bad thing if it gets shot down. Who knows how it all would play out?

Just like pot, legalized online poker will exist, eventually.