Gambling News - November 2006 Edition

U.S. Regulation of Online Casinos and Poker Rooms Not Likely in the Near Future

The recent U.S. elections, which saw the Democrats take control of Congress, are definitely cause for optimism among members of the online gambling industry.  Many of those elected to office have demonstrated a much more open-minded approach to Internet gambling and some even hail from states where gambling is a prominent and popular activity.  Nevertheless, online casino and poker room operators have expressed only mild optimism when it comes to the possible regulation of online gambling in the U.S.  The recent passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement (UIGE) Act caused serious financial damage to many online casinos, forcing some of them to pull out of the U.S. market entirely and refocus their efforts on Europe and Asia and still others to close or sell of their businesses completely.

Online gambling has been a big issue on Capitol Hill for some time now and many anti-online gambling bills were put forward to try to stop the growth of the industry in this country.  The UIGE Act, which prohibits U.S. banks and credit card companies from processing transactions between U.S. residents and online casinos and poker rooms, is only the latest in a long line of anti-online gambling bills.  Many members of Congress are likely tired of the subject now and less inclined to consider new online gambling legislation.

"If it comes up again, they're going to say, 'We've already dealt with that issue,' " said David Stewart, a Washington attorney who advises the American Gaming Association. "They were exhausted by this latest effort."

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