Internet Gambling Legislation Back on the Cards in America

After many years of discussion and debate in America over online gambling legislation and regulation issues, the latest decision in 2006 was to disallow Americans from funding their gaming habits using America's banking institutions. This was introduced by the Bush administration via the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA).

This legislation effectively prevented many US residents from playing at Online Casinos using conventional methods like funding their accounts using credit cards. This essentially brought in the risk of having to use potentially unsafe methods to continue their gaming hobbies. But now, with the new presidential administration led by Barack Obama preparing to take over the White House, as well as a Democratic majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, legalized internet gambling is potentially back on the cards.

The American Gaming Association is trying to establish exactly what their position on internet gambling is currently, and what approach they should take. This is because internet gambling laws in America can be looked at and changed in a variety of ways. Currently, MGM Mirage, Harrah's Entertainment and International Game Technology, the group's largest members, support government regulation and legalization of Internet gambling.

But decisions also need to be made as to how to change the laws. If a change occurs at a federal level, Internet gambling would be made legal throughout the United States of America. Alternatively, the laws can also be changed so that each state individually decides whether to legalize internet gambling.

In the past few years, a number of bills have been introduced to Congress to try and ease American politicians into the idea of regulating Internet gambling using the model adopted by the United Kingdom. These bills would allow licensed operators to use American banking institutions, satisfying the large Internet gaming companies such as InterCasino, but would also introduce safety measures to appease anti-gambling associations.

For instance, Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass), the Chairman of the House Committee on Financial Services, recently introduced a bill which allowed licensed operators to still operate internet gambling facilities in America. To make it safe for all players however, measures to discourage underage gambling, compulsive gambling, fraud, and laundering were also introduced with the bill.

Whatever the outcome, regulation instead of prohibition can only mean good things for all Online Casino players. Regulating the industry would ensure US residents are able to gamble online with various increased safety levels as well as providing a large new tax revenue source for the government.

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