North Dakota State Representative Jim Kasper is far from giving up the fight for online poker. Although, earlier this year, the state Senate shot down Kasper's online poker licensing bill and accompanying constitutional amendment in a dramatic 44-3 vote, the tenacious legislator has waited not even a year to try again.

Although he has expressed an interest in continuing the legislative battle for online poker, Kasper has been somewhat cautious in response to media inquiries, saying that he is merely weighing his options at present, and currently has no definite plans to introduce legislation. With actual industry officials, however, Kasper has been much less guarded. In one communication, Kasper reportedly said that he was working toward putting an initiated measure on the state ballot in November 2006.

The key to this disparity is funding. Yes, Kasper would like to launch a full-fledged campaign, no holds barred, but not before securing the necessary funding. To help him finance these efforts, Kasper has turned to members of the online gaming industry, the very parties that would benefit from such legislation. To industry officials, Kasper has made his intentions clear and definite as part of his pitch for aid. No sane entrepreneur would give funding to wishy-washy plans.

The online poker licensing bill and proposed constitutional amendment that Kasper introduced earlier this year faced almost unanimous opposition in the Senate, although it passed in the House. Kasper is of the opinion that North Dakotans may feel differently this time around, if along with legal and licensed online poker, residents will be guaranteed local property tax cuts.

Passing an online poker licensing bill in North Dakota would also require that the state constitution be amended to bypass current restrictions on gambling. In order to put such an amendment directly on the ballot, 25,688 North Dakota voters must first sign a related petition. Doing the same for a new law requires 12,844 signatures.

Kasper's earlier efforts were recognized by the global gaming industry as groundwork for a widespread revolution in U.S. gaming policy. The Senate hearing on both the bill and the constitutional amendment attracted poker pros and other leaders of the industry in an effort to lobby for the cause. Round two will also likely draw some big names to North Dakota, and with Hollywood having gotten the poker bug in a serious way over the past year, maybe some stars and starlets as well.

Source:  Poker777 Staff

Monday, 28 November 2005