Senator Robert Mendez of New Jersey has brought the issue of online casinos to the Senate full force… well almost full force.  Mendez is not proposing full legalization of online casinos as Representative Barney Frank is in the House, but he is proposing that it may be time for long standing and legitimate online gambling companies to step forward from the shadows into the mainstream.

The Internet Poker and Games of Skill Regulation, Protection and Enforcement Act may prove an easier pill to swallow the Frank’s HR 2267.  Mendez’s proposal is simply an attempt to take advantage of and create protections for an industry already widely embraced by the public and does not directly conflict with any established laws.  It is not illegal to gamble on games of skill in most states and online gambling is an industry long over due for regulations to protect consumers.

“Pulling Internet poker out of the shadows and into the light of the law, we have the opportunity to help our economy while protecting our families,” said Senator Menendez.

“By bringing these games of skill into the mainstream, we can generate billions in revenue for businesses and the Treasury during these tough times.”

Poker is a game that has been known to have repeated rebirths in popularity.  Early in the 2000s poker received a spike in interest due to televised poker tournaments.  Regulating online poker and finally taking the game out of the legal grey area is likely to be the source of yet another poker popularity spike.  That could generate millions, even billions of dollars in tax revenue.