The Senator of New Jersey, Robert Menendez has introduced new legislation that could potentially see the United States regulate and legalize online poker and other games of skill. The new law, known as the Internet Poker and Games of Skill Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act would see poker become legal within a tough regulatory framework, in a bid to prevent underage gambling and protect problem gamblers.

“Pulling Internet poker out of the shadows and into the light of the law, we have the opportunity to help our economy while protecting our families,” said Menendez. “By bringing these games of skill into the mainstream, we can generate billions in revenue for businesses and the Treasury during these tough times. The safety benefits of the bill are particularly crucial.”

“Parents are worried about their children falling prey to illegitimate gaming sites and thousands of Americans have been fleeced of millions of dollars by these sites,” he added. “With proper regulation, we can prevent minors from playing poker online, crackdown on predatory operations, and sanction the legitimate ones.”