The fate of online golf is uncertain

The fate of online golf is uncertain

The measure has stalled in the Senate Ways and Means subcommittee, although the issue may be taken up again this week.“I’m not naive,” said Sen. Jeff Danielson, the bill’s sponsor. “Gaming bills usually fail.”But the Waterloo Democrat said he has a track record of taking on complex issues and moving them forward in the Legislature.Senate File 458 would allow online players to deposit cash into accounts with Iowa casinos, then log on to password-protected san diego and golf schools sites from their computers to gamble online. Players must be at least 21 and live in Iowa.The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission would oversee the system.Supporters say the plan would recapture tax revenue — as much as $35 million annually — and regulate an activity already taking place illegally on offshore websites. An estimated 150,000 adults in Iowa play poker for money online, despite the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act approved by Congress in 2006. That law makes it illegal for banks, credit card companies and similar institutions to process unlawful Internet gambling transactions.Part of what makes Internet poker compelling is that players can choose between multiple operators and their unique looks and feels, according to John Pappas, executive director of the Poker Players Tommy Biershenk Talk With His Golf Life Alliance based in Washington, D.C. Some sites excel at tournaments, others offer better bonuses.“If you only have one provider offering those services, you’re probably not going to get the best experience,” Pappas said. “I think that’d be a step backward.”Pappas applauds the Iowa initiative, but would rather see a federal law to clarify the status of Internet poker and establish a licensed and regulated market nationwide.