House committee takes 'first step' on legalized online gambling

The House Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade will hold a hearing on Internet gambling -- a victory for supporters of the industry.

“I am pleased that Chairman Bono-Mack is holding a hearing on the important issue of Internet gaming," said Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX), who introduced a bill that would legalize and regulate online poker in June after the Obama administration shut down much of the industry in April. "It’s a first step to showing why the current law is a lose, lose for everyone — the public, the taxpayer, the banking industry, and the people who want to play poker openly and honestly on the Internet. I look forward to an open exchange of ideas.”