Internet gambling proponents may feel like Congressman Barney Frank is being a bit of a tease with his promise to introduce legislation that will regulate online casinos.  At first he promised to introduce his bill some time in March, but now it seems more likely that the big moment will happen during the week of April 20^th. 

Part of the delay may be the fact the Congressman Frank does not believe that two wrongs make a write.  The bill that ruined online casinos in the United States, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, sandwiched in a must pass bill back in 2006.

Frank has stated he want this antidote bill to be a stand alone bill and does not want it to be a rider to critical legislation. 

“The main proponent of a bill to regulate Internet gambling will introduce his legislation as a standalone bill and will not seek to add it to must-pass legislation,” was the word on the Hill.

“I want to do this with hearings, discussions, and votes,” said Frank.

It is clear that Frank does not just want to regulate online casinos, he wants his new legislation to be a protest of everything that the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act stands for.  Back in 2006, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act was attached to the SAFE Port Act, a must pass piece of legislation that had nothing to do with online casinos. 

Frank could very easily take the same route in getting his agenda passed, especially with democrats possessing a dominant power over the congress.  But two wrongs do not make a right.