Barney Frank at the 2009 World Series of Poker

Everyone's favorite Congressman, Barney Frank, made an appearance at the 2009 World Series of Poker Sunday, perhaps even upstaging bracelet record holder, Phil Hellmuth, who arrived dressed as a Roman emperor, complete with 100 models, 11 muses and a trumpeter.

While Frank's current proposed legislation (H.R. 2267) may not be heard in committee until September, it is a priority for Frank to push his companion legislation (H.R. 2266) that will delay the implementation of the UIGEA through 2010, according to Pokerati.com.

First, he took to the floor of the Amazon Room to speak to the Day 1C players and issue the "shuffle up and deal command," after which he toured the Rio Convention Center to see poker's bizness and held a press conference at 1pm. You'd think it might be quite an event for those with any interest in the future of the poker industry.

Pokerati also noted that there were only around 10 media outlets covering the Frank speech.  The Poker Players Alliance organized the appearance. 

Barney Frank indeed has his work cut out for him.

Earlier last month, the US Attorney's Office out of the Southern District of New York, announced a crackdown on the industry's two leading online poker rooms, PokerStars and Full Tilt.  More than $40 million in funds have been seized to date. 

Costigan Media, parent company of Gambling911.com, announced Thursday it had submitted a Memorandum of Law in Support of its Motion to Intervene and to unseal court records related to the issuance of a seizure warrant in this matter.

Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher