In the wake of last week's U.S. added amendment to HR 2267, a bill that would legalize online gaming in the United States, online poker powerhouse PokerStars has surprisingly voiced their support for the amendment, which, if included, would bar companies who are currently believed to be in violation of U.S. law from obtaining a license.

While some question whether or not PokerStars has been in violation of current U.S. law regarding online gaming, their legal department has made it clear they believe PokerStars has not been in violation of said laws.

"PokerStars maintains its strong support for H.R. 2267 and encourages the full House and ultimately the Senate to move quickly to secure passage during current Congressional term," says Paul Telford, General Counsel for PokerStars. "PokerStars, a pioneer in operating online poker under stringent regulatory frameworks, looks forward to working with incumbent and new operators in promoting a safe and healthy online poker industry in the United States, as it currently does under similar licensing models in Italy and France."

It also seems clear that the Poker Players Alliance agrees with the findings of the PokerStars legal team, and in a recent press release had this to say:

"To be clear, despite the concerns of some of our members, nothing in the Committee-passed legislation precludes lawful Internet poker-only operators whom US players know and trust today from the opportunity to operate under a regulated system."

It is thought by some that once the bill does pass, U.S. licensing agents will give preference to those online gaming providers based in the United States - companies like Harrahs Entertainment, perhaps. But PokerStars and other big online gaming sites like FullTilt Poker are saying they are welcoming the chance to be regulated in the U.S. market.

Whether that means these industry giants will get a chance to remain in the U.S. market under new legislation and laws, or if their customers will have to make do with lesser government-approved facsimiles of those sites will remain to be seen.

Tags: Online Poker, Online Poker Legislation, UIGEA