The future of U.S. online gambling
New York Times reports today that Democratic leaders in Congress are so incensed by the Bush administration’s enacting of a series of midnight regulations they are looking for methods to quickly undo the new policies. Prominent among these last-minute rules is the final regulation for the UIGEA, set to finish its review period and begin implementing the blocking of payments to online casinos the day before the Obama Inauguration. The Congress may act to withdraw new midnight rules by legislating against them. Some Congressmen are so upset, they have proposed tying the rescinding of the regulations to the economic stimulus package. Another option discussed is the use of the Congressional Review Act of 1996, which is available for the first few months a rule is in place. If invoked, this act allows Congress to move swiftly to strike down new rules, as the bill forbids filibustering to delay its intent. One Representative – Jerrold Nadler of New York, has even authored a new bill called the Midnight Rule Act. The purpose would be to allow Cabinet members to rewrite regulations passed in their respective Departments during the closing three months of a Presidency. Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon told the Times, *Congress is going to have to roll up its sleeves and review these midnight regulations, because it’s clear that they are part of a desire for the administration, as it heads out the door, to put some ideological trophies on the wall.* 
The UIGEA rules were finalized despite heavy protests from financial institutions, which say the rules regarding online gambling sites do not define illegal gambling, place a burden on banks to act as law enforcement, and put the US financial system at a competitive disadvantage. Hoppefully 2009 will be better for the online gambling industry!