Harry Reid Getting Into The Online Poker Act

Is beleaguered Senate leader Harry Reid about to propose his own online poker legislation?

That's the word around parts of the industry this week.

Pokerati.com sources suggest this is the case.

Then there is this from Proactive Investors:

The stockbroker noted speculation that US Senator Harry Reid and his pro-legislation cohorts are preparing a Bill that could be introduced into the Senate within the next three months and ready for approval by the President during H2 2010.

Daniel Stewart believes that the proposed Federal legislation will encompass just online poker and exclude casino and sports betting services, which should ensure that it is easier to implement....

"The legalised US online poker market represents a massive pot of gold for the entities that can monetise a market we estimate to offer likely annual gross gaming revenue of >$8bn annually". According to Daniel Stewart, the clear winners from the proposed US legislation will be the US-based gambling giants such as Las Vegas Sands, MGM, Harrah's and Wynn.

Unfortunately, Harry Reid, the Democrat out of Nevada, is losing much of his luster and he's fighting to stay alive this upcoming election.

Unlike his fellow Democrat, Barney Frank, who just happens to be the leading proponent of legalized online poker, Reid is not a "lifer" in DC.

Reid has one last card up his sleeve:  Immigration reform.

The revival of such legislation could energize his state's Hispanic voters and help save himself from defeat in November.

In football terms, immigration reform may be Reid's attempt at a political Hail Mary pass, writes Susan Ferrechio of the Washington Examiner.

The latest Las Vegas Review Journal/Mason-Dixon poll, taken April 13-14, shows Reid 10 points behind GOP opponent Sue Lowden.

Alejandro Botticelli, Gambling911.com