The land-based casino industry is seeking passage of a new online poker bill different from any others currently before Congress by giving states the right to decide for themselves whether or not to permit online poker gambling within their own states borders.

The land-based casino industry is asking Congress to ignore the proposals currently before them regarding federal legalization and regulation of the online poker industry, estimated to be worth approximately $6 billion, and instead pass a new law that would instead allow the states to determine whether or not to permit online poker and other types of online gambling. The proposed legislation would also mandate licensure of all casino companies operating online.

Earlier this month, the chief executive of the American Gaming Association, Frank Fahrenkopf, told attendees at a conference for the gaming industry held in Las Vegas that he is hopeful that such legislation will soon be introduced into Congress.

Both Rep. Joe Barton, a Texas Republican and Rep. Barney Frank, a Massachusetts Democrat, have introduced their own online gambling bills to the House of Representatives in Congress but despite a number of cosponsors from both sides of the aisle, neither one has gained much traction. This is in part, Fahrenkopf believes, due to the more than 100 freshman members of Congress who've never had to confront this issue before. Fahrenkopf, who plans, with his staff, to meet with these lawmakers personally, also said Barton's bill is closest of the two currently pending online gaming bills to the one he proposes.