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American Casinos Waiting On UIGEA Repeal

Land casinos in the United States are just biding their time until the repeal of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. Pundits anticipate that it is only a matter of time until the Obama administration proposes to eliminate the controversial and highly unpopular bit of legislation constituting a de facto ban against internet gambling, and that Congress will be motivated by the multitudinous financial benefits to pass it. And when that halcyon day comes, many major land casinos will be ready.

Many slot machine and casino gambling experts, such as Richard Hauser, claim that big land casinos will use their name power and reputation to get a jump start on foreign gambling companies in gaining a foothold with the new U.S. online gambling market. Those in the know rumor that U.S. casinos will try their hardest to sway lawmakers towards writing and passing legislation that works in their favor, for example towards licensing regulations. The deep pockets and great political firepower of these big names is pretty much insurance that they will dominate the industry if allowed, Hauser predicted.

A philosophical changing of the guard is taking place with regards to the formerly maligned online slots and casino gambling industry in America. The American Gaming Association now “cautiously” endorses licensed and regulated online gambling. Of course, the European Commission claims that the UIGEA goes against U.S. free trade promises, and is threatening action with the World Trade Organization if the ban is not lifted – so economic concerns are not the only reasons for American lawmakers to take a serious look at repealing the Act.

Back to March 2009 Archive.