The Fight Continues: 2
The fight against the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act seems to be
never ending. There are so many online casino groups fighting the rules made by
the US government that we can not even begin to cover all of them individually.
One thing is certain, the organizations defending US online casinos and internet
gambling are criticizing the government for vagueness and are condemning them
for the additional burden that they have placed on financial institutions to act
as enforcers in the matter. As we covered in the last portion of this article,
the financial institutions were required to begin their enforcement on the first
of December.
There are many public figures that are stepping up to the plate and sticking up
for the online casino industry. The American Gaming Associate supports the
statements that have been made by Shelly Berkley who is a Representative of the
state of Nevada. She is proposing for the government to do an independent study
on the effects of online casinos both on the economy and on the citizens who
will be partaking in placing wagers online. Berkley even said, “The clock is
ticking on President Bush's prohibitionist crusade against Internet gaming and
that is clearly why these flawed regulations are being forced on the financial
services industry at the very last minute.”
The midnight rule making of the Bush administration is something that was to be
expected. However, the online casino industry may be able to thank the recession
for added action by the US government. The fact that so much pressure is being
placed on financial institutions to enforce the rules made for the UIGEA during
these times of financial turmoil, is simply irresponsible. Another state
representative, Barney Frank (D-Mass) has asked the Treasury to not move forward
with the intended plan by stating that those actions would “burden the financial
services industry at a time of economic crisis". One thing is for sure, the
government will not see an end to the complaints form online casinos any time in
the near future.