It’s not a new view on the UIGEA, but it’s nice to see the Nevada Gaming Board express and opinion that so many agree with. Actually the gaming board might even have expressed themselves a little more politely than others might. The Nevada Gaming Board had to rule on Caesars Entertainment’s partnership with 888 – an online gaming company. And in doing so, they had to take into account the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) in the United States. The question the board had to answer for themselves was would Caesar’s be guilty of violating regulations by partnering with an online gaming company. Though in this case the 888 company made a hasty departure from the US online gambling market when the UIGEA pass and Caesars will only be involved in online gambling efforts overseas. But many still see this move as a sign that there is an expectation out there for the UIGEA to be repelled. The Nevada Gaming Board in reviewing the situation went as far as to say that the law was vague and hastily passed when they approved the partnership between Caesars and 888.
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act was one of those bills signed into law at the eleventh hour by a departing President Bush. The law prohibits banks and credit card companies from transferring funds to online casinos. The problem is that the language of the law is vague. It doesn’t ban online gambling itself but only the transfer of funds. But it’s created just a mess in the online gambling industry with some companies allowing US players who can find methods to get their deposits to the online casino and other companies banning players from the US. But it’s also left US players with little recourse to go after casinos that may refuse to pay out on winnings. Over all, it’s left the US gambler in a worse state than gamblers in other countries. Which is why many hope to see measures passed in congress to regulate and license online gambling and provide clarity that the UIGEA lacks.