PokerStars, the world’s second-biggest Internet poker firm, said on Thursday that a looming U.S. ban on online gaming would not apply to poker, as it is a game of skill, and its business would continue as usual.

The gambling industry was left reeling this month after the U.S. Congress unexpectedly approved a bill that would make it illegal for companies to accept Internet wagers or for banks to process payments to online gaming companies.

The bill defines gambling as the act of staking something of value on “a sporting event or a game subject to chance” and is expected to be signed into law by President George W. Bush on Friday.

“These provisions do not alter the U.S. legal situation with respect to online poker,” privately-owned PokerStars said in a statement.

Source: Yahoo