As the Congress of the argues about health reform, there is a bill that has been presented that will require Congressional attention within the next month or so.  The bill will repeal the 2006 law which made online gambling illegal within the confines of the .  There is little question but that this law will be repealed.  The Democratic Congress will see to that.  What is up for debate are the technicalities of the law so that the Government can gain necessary tax revenues from the profits.

As of this writing, there are changes constantly being made to the legislation.  While the prohibition of online gambling in the initially sent the online gambling industry reeling, there has been a comeback of online gambling by citizens, despite the veiled threats of punishment by law.  Since the law is arguably unenforceable, Congress has no recourse but to repeal the law. 

However, there has been an outcry as gambling improprieties have been discovered and rooted out in a few poker rooms.  Lobbyists representing anti-gambling factions are working hard trying to convince politicians that the law should not be repealed, and online gambling should continue to be banned in the .  We shall soon see the legislative piece from Congress, and feel the global effect of the new law.  It should happen soon.

Meanwhile, there has been activity elsewhere regarding online gambling.  The Canadian province of British Columbia is working on a state operated online casino.  It is anticipated that the British Columbian Lottery Commission will oversee the operation, and will offer a variety of casino games for the participatory pleasure of its citizens.  The proceeds will aid various services, including education.  has seen a surge in online gambling in recent months as some of the larger play-for-pay online casinos have entered the market.

Ireland and Argentina are two other countries that are exploring the possibility of a national online gambling system.  At this juncture, however, there are only ongoing discussions toward legalizing, regulating, and taxing a possible online gambling system.  On the European front, , in an attempt to deter criminal activity while lining its coffers with money, has received the blessing of the European Union to operate a state-run gambling program.  There is still a heated debate raging in over the issue, as moral implications regarding the efficacy of online gambling have been raised.