Gambling Association Promotes iGaming Too

Published April 30, 2006 by OCR Editor

The American Gaming Association, AGA, has in the past, taken a neutral stand in the controversial debate over whether online gambling should be banned in the United States.

The American Gaming Association represents land-based casino companies and has usually not commented on the legislative war going on between states and politicians regarding the sites. Recently, however, the AGA surprised many in the gambling world by announcing that it supports the creation of an investigative committee to study the issue further when it comes to online gambling.

The American Gaming Association president, Frank Fahrenkopf announced at a recent board meeting that the association felt the need for a body to evaluate online gambling before any far-reaching decisions were made. He urged the government to create a US Congressional committee to investigate the issue of online gambling and its repercussions for a period of one year. The Association feels that only after the subject of online gambling has been thoroughly investigated, can a decision be made.

The AGA's announcement has already had a ripple effect in the land based gambling world. Shares of several online gambling companies rose on the London stock market, after they were showing signs of weakening over fears that the United States would be successful in banning online wagering. It remains to be seen whether the AGA's request for an evaluation commission will have any real effect in this battle.