Barney Frank, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, told The Hill Wednesday that he plans to introduce a standalone Internet gambling regulatory bill this month after the upcoming two-week congressional recess.
Mr. Frank, whose April 2007 Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act failed to make it out of committee, cast away any doubt that his new bill would be attached to muss-pass legislation this time around.
"That is not my intention. It would be a mistake," he told the Washington, D.C., newspaper. "I want to do this with hearings, discussions and votes."
Beginning April 6, Congress is on recess until April 17, giving Mr. Frank less than two full business weeks to introduce the bill.
IGamingNews understands that the April introduction does not come in reaction to a Senate sponsor having been found.
Mr. Frank's spokesman did not return an e-mail seeking comment Thursday.
More on this story as it develops.
Chris Krafcik is the editor of IGamingNews. He lives in St. Louis, Mo.