Confusion Over Vague Gambling Law Language

At the long awaited Congressional hearing on its Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA), bankers and private financial institutions joined disgruntled poker players in decrying what they consider to be an awkward and nonviable law.

The UIGEA, introduced into a climate of already outlawed US online gambling, sought to ban credit card companies and others from processing cash flow from the US into (and ideally out of) offshore-based Internet gaming sites.

"Congress itself isn't sure what they mean"
So said Louise Roseman, head of the Federal Reserve's bank operations division, in reference to the confusing federal laws that are now under attack.

The congressional laws were created with the intent of banning online gambling in the US, but it seems that due to the confusion created when members of congress realized that not even they could control the Internet, responsibility for enforcement of the ban was transferred to financial institutions - and laying handcuffs isn't really their line of work.

Caution: High Ocean
The law has caused international disputes, including an investigation launched earlier this month by the European Union after European betting companies complained that Washington's actions against them were infringing international trade rules.

In Congress
Naturally, the UIGEA has its opponents within the legislating community.

The House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D.-MA) who has introduced a bill to overturn the legislation, called it "a rather bizarre piece of legislation," ahead of the hearings.

There is Hope
With this floodgate of negative feedback not only from affected gamblers, but from the financial and international communities as well, many are hopeful that UIGEA will soon be a thing of the past.

Congressional hearings, and talks in general, are a positive sign toward some sort of agreement, at the very least.