Could Online Poker be on the Agenda as Part of Harry Reid’s Payroll Tax Cut Proposal

With Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid preparing to introduce a proposal Monday as a compromise to extend a popular payroll tax cut, the poker community had its ears perk up, if only for a brief moment. 

Reid, who represents the gambling state of Nevada and its casino interests, is reportedly attempting to push through a measure that would legalize online poker as a means of reducing the deficit, creating jobs, and, most importantly, generating millions (if not billions) of dollars in taxable income. 

Appearing on the "Fox News Sunday" program, Senator Kent Conrad said Reid's proposal would cover the cost of extending the tax cut, set to expire at the end of this month, but he left it up to Reid to provide details on Monday.

Details of the proposal were not released but Reid did say that it would be fully paid for without increasing the nation’s record $15 trillion debt. 

"It will be paid for, it will be in a way that is credible and serious," the senator said.

The Nevada casino sector has engaged in heavy lobbying to legalize Internet poker in recent months. 

- Chris Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher