I'll be back - UIGEA, USA and the EU

Admin. - October 7, 2008

Industry

Arnold Schwarzenegger's bill, if passed in the Senate, could see the US gambling industry making a long-awaited come-back.

Despite having the world capital of gambling (Las Vegas) smack dab in the middle of the country, the USA has taken a harsh stance and partisan attitude toward gambling with the passing of the much debated UIGEA bill.

Toppling gambling industries in a single swoop by crippling online payment processors for players located in the United States, this bill has been nothing but a thorn in the side for many people - politicians right on down to the people these politicians serve: regular citizens, who just want to spend their money how they see fit.

However, before the UIGEA bill came into place, the European Union (EU) and other majority states were working towards a regulated industry, but now with fear of persecution as well as possibly threats of money laundering and/or terrorism, the European Union has been somewhat stalled on the issue.

Europe is rejoicing...
There is some good news though; because of the lock down in the States, many bingo and online casino websites have flourished in Europe as these companies have refocused their efforts towards this previously untapped market.

The U.S. Department of Justice and committee members of the EU are set to convene together to hold talks of why bingo and online casino websites can still face prosecution even after their withdrawal from the USA borders, as previous answers were not satisfactory on both sides.

"I'll be back"?
California governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, is possibly on track to approve Senate Bill 1369 which would effectively make online gambling legal in the state. If approved, constituents are hoping for a domino effect across the country.