Gambling News - November 2006 Edition

Online Casinos Celebrating as Representative Jim Leach Loses His Reelection Bid

While the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGE) sent tremors throughout the online gambling industry, the removal of Republican representative Jim Leach from the U.S. Congress in the November 7th elections must surely have online casinos and poker rooms smiling again.

Jim Leach, who came up with the idea of making it illegal for banks and credit card companies to process transactions between U.S. residents and online casinos, poker rooms and sportsbooks, was booted out of office after loosing his reelection bid in the November 7th elections.  Leach, who has served in Congress for 30 years, stated that the anti-Internet gambling legislation was one of the accomplishments of which he was most proud.   Leach is one of three other legislators that staunchly oppose Internet gambling and online casinos, two of which retained their seats and one who chose not to run again.

Since U.S. residents make up a large percentage of the online gambling population, online casinos intently follow any online gambling news and developments in the U.S. The passage of the UIGE Act was a serious blow to many of these online casinos so any evidence that there might be slightly less opposition to online gambling in the U.S. political arena is definitely regarded as a positive sign.  Nevertheless, with Virginia Congressman Bob Goodlatte and Arizona Senator Bill Kyle, the two other anti-online gambling legislators still in office, the future of online casinos in the U.S. is anything but clear.

Back to Latest News
Back to News Archive
Back to Online Gambling News - November 2006