Legislators take a look at online gambling to raise tax revenue

Floyd "Money" Mayweather at a recent celebrity gambling charity

Celebrity gamblers like boxing greats Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. may soon be able to take their love of gambling and poker away from the paparatzi and into the comfort of their own homes.A growing number of states are considering legalizing  online poker and cash bingo games within their state, in hopes to generate more tax revenue. A concern about fair competition among brick and mortar casinos has them up in arms over the idea of legalizing online gaming.

Current federal law is poorly conceived and for the most part has turned a blind eye to internet gambling. In 2006 the US Congress outlawed most online wagering under the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act that for years left many web gamblers under the questionable impression that online gambling was in fact legal. A recent poll showed a majority of online players who realized the true legality of the act, however agreed in regards to enforcing the law; the government did little to fear them away from playing.