Online Casino News and Information

July 17, 2007

Following a statement by the OECS (Organization of Eastern Caribbean States) trade ministers on Antiqua and Barbuda’s ongoing dispute with the United States on Internet Gaming. This statement is among the conclusions of the OECS ministers of trade meeting in St. Lucia last Wednesday.

We the OECS ministers of trade declare solidarity with Antiqua and Barbuda’s quest for satisfactory treatment from the United States of America on the question of cross border supply of Internet Gaming Services.

We recognize the challenges faced by Antiqua and Barbuda as the United States fails to implement the World Trade Oganization’s General Agreement on Trade Services (GATS) rulings.

We the OECS ministers of trade are dissatisfied with the decision by the USA to circumvent its WTO GATS obligations by attempting to withdraw its commitments tabled in 1994 on Internet gaming.

We further recognise that although Antigua & Barbuda has consistently won cases against the USA at the WTO disputes panel and appellate body, the USA is yet to bring its offending measures into conformity as directed in the consecutive rulings. We the OECS ministers of trade recognise findings by the WTO’s compliance panel that the USA is yet to implement the decision of the compliance panel.

The OECS ministers of trade view the ongoing response by the USA as unfortunate and that such action can significantly harm Antigua & Barbuda’s economy. In fact this has so far resulted in the closure of some Internet gaming facilities and the termination of some workers in that industry in Antigua & Barbuda. Such action by the USA has also undermined the credibility of the WTO.

To this end, the OECS ministers of trade declare their solidarity with Antigua & Barbuda in taking measures calculated to obtain compensation for the actions taken against it. The OECS ministers of trade will fervently express such concerns about Antigua & Barbuda’s plight during individual and collective dialogue with the USA.

We (OECS) strongly suggest that the United States of America engage in the appropriate dialogue with Antigua & Barbuda and take the steps to comply with the WTO ruling.

As we all wait patiently to see the outcome of iMEGA’s hearing they are going strong.

In the state of New Jersey a Federal Judge assigned a hearing date for the lawsuit against US Attorney General, Alberto Gonzales. The lawsuit seeks to have a new online gambling law, as well as the UIGEA overturned. Judge Mary L. Cooper will hear the case.

The target of the iMEGA is to ask the court to declare the UIGEA unconstitutional and unenforceable. The group says t he act violates the First Amendment rights, which is “freedom of speech” and “commercial association” as well as the Tenth Amendment’s protections of states’ rights to regulate online gambling in the US.

Edward Leyden the president of IMEGA made the statement “We think the law infringes on the First Amendment and the Tenth Amendment rights of our members” “And we also believe the government has exceeded its authority in its WTO dispute with Antiqua and that too has harmed our clients.”

iMEGA founder, Joe Brennan Jr. said “The UIGEA can still be enforced prior to the hearing scheduled for September 4th,” “But we feel confident that the Judge will prevent that from happening.”

“The Judge will have to wade through all the rules and regulations in addition to reviewing our (iMega) complaint.”

As we are told: The honorable Judge cooper will review the information submitted by the iMEGA and the defendants, US DOJ, and Federal Reserve, to determine if she will grant iMEGA’s request for a temporary restraining order preventing the enforcement of UIGEA.

Joe Brennan Jr. said: “We are happy that the Court has set a date for hearing our case. We are confident that once the Act is given an impartial examination, the Court will see the problems it creates and the kind of slippery-slope precedent we will be left with if the law stands.

Brennan also said: “We have laid out our argument on the merits of granting a TRO for the enforcement of UIGEA for the Court.” “From iMEGA’s standpoint, we did not want the defendants, US Dept of Justice, Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Reserve to use the allowed 60 days in their summonses in order to stall and give them more time to promulgate the regulations for UIGEA.”

It appears things are looking up for the gambling industry. Watch this space for more news as it comes our way, we will keep you updated.

Read more about iMEGA.

Read more about UIGEA.

Frank’s team is sure growing, as we watch more and more politicians signing to join.

Two more House of Representatives signed to co-sponsor the Internet Gambling Legalization Bill, started by Barney Frank. Congressman Anthony D. Weiner, from New York has signed to co-sponsor. Representing the second district of Mississippi, Bennie G. Thompson has also signed to co-sponsor the bill.

Although it appeared that Barney Frank’s bill started off a bit slow, It has gained much power in the last few weeks, making a total of 28 that have joined as co-sponsors.

A hearing is scheduled tomorrow on Frank’s bill. Unless it has been changed, we will keep you updated on the outcome.

Read more on Barney Frank.

Today marked the end of the UIGEA’s 270 day deadline to enter into action the regulations of the bill. It failed to do so.

Here are some comments by one of G&C’s sources in high places:

“As of 5pm est. time today, the meeting of the US Treasury was ended in still a blank.” Which from everything I have heard and seen today, could be a fabulous point for the internet gambling industry.”

“July 10th marked the end of the 270 days for the regulations from the UIGEA to be enforced. It will not be done today. As a matter of fact, that part of the bill could be on hold for years and years. As many bills in the past have done.”

“What will not be put on hold is “Barney Frank”. He is tough and full well intends to get his point across. Which is to stop the UIGEA. In my opinion, Frank, along with PPA and iMega, I think this battle will be won.”

“It could also be a fact that the WTO has given out more than the UIGEA could take?”
“It doesn’t matter really what the hold up is, the important factor is that there was no regulations set today, on the date that the UIGEA ordered it to be done.”

“Frist seems to be up to his old tricks, such as getting his task force to find any and all loop holes to try to disgrace online gambling. Although maybe a few documentary things he is pulling come through, the majority will fail. The UIGEA has too many things against it, mainly the rights of American Citizens.”
“Quote and Unquote”

Read more on the iMega.

Read more on Barney Frank.

Read more on PPA.

WATCH this space for more details soon!!

RGA-Remote Gambling Association has announced an endorsing of the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative (SSIGI). Working to promote legalizing and regulating online gambling in the USA.

In May of 2007 the SSIGI was created by two U.K. based companies in order to help strengthen the bill bought forward by Rep. Barney Frank. Which is to license and regulate online gambling in the USA.

Here you can find more info about Barney Frank.

Raising awareness that regulating online gambling would better protect consumers, as well as financial transactions.

RGA represents some of the largest global remote gambling companies and have said they will sure support SSIGI.

Clive Hawkswood a chief executive for RGA stated “RGA endorses the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative in its mission to support regulated Internet gambling and protect consumers betting online”. Hawkswood also stated: “Internet gambling is capable of control in order to prevent it from being used as a source of crime”. “Only through regulatory framework as championed by the Initiative will proper protections be in place to guard against money laundering, fraud and identity theft.”

Spokesman for SSIGI, Jeffrey Sandman, expressed the organizations gratitude for the RGA’s support and encouraged others to show support.

The RGA has provided statements to the House Committee and Financial Services that a regulatory framework for Internet gambling would protect consumers and provide a safe means for Internet gambling financial transactions.

SSIGI has said that other endorsers include eCOGRA, GamCare and the European Gaming and Betting Association.

The law may be changed where Americans were stopped from playing online.
The reasons why, read below:

Will the UIGEA be reversed, changed, or revised? Read below to find out our up to date details. You might be shocked at the major companies that are supporting Barney Frank and the bills presented to make this turn around.

Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass, introduced a new bill to reform the UIGEA. The bill is IGREA- Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act. Congress held hearings on the bill in early June.

The bill, the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act, was introduced by Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., in April. Congressional hearings on the feasibility of the bill were held in early June.

If passed it would reverse the bans from Internet Gambling passed by the USA to stop American banks and credit card companies from being used for online gambling.

Barney Frank’s bill would set terms to legalize, regulate, license and tax Internet Gambling. There is a great deal of stakes in the Frank bill.

The UIGEA bill was passed in October, after being attached to the Port Security Bill. Since Congress would sure vote to pass the Port Bill, it was sure to also pass the attached Internet Gambling bill. Ten years passed after first trying to stop the Internet Gambling with no avail.

As Barney Frank Quotes about the UIGEA: “one of the stupidest things I ever saw”. “I want to get it undone”. Frank also stated that “If an adult in this country with their own money, wants to engage in an activity that harms no one, how dare we prohibit it?” “Adults are entitled to do with their own money what they want”

Frank is chairman of the House Financial Services Committee. This committee oversees the activities of banks and credit card companies. Both of the companies have stated that they do not want to be considered as gambling police. Contributing to Frank’s 14 terms in Congress, the banks and credit card companies would no longer have to block transactions online as well as they would profit from the transactions.

Here you can find more on Barney Frank .

The proposal is set so that American companies could legally run Internet casinos and gambling to accept United States customers. MGM Mirage Senior Vice President Alan Feldman has stated that “We would do so as quickly as we could”. “We would have it up and running with a year. I have to believe that major players and everyone will get involved at some level”. When ask if he was speaking of the major players in gambling, he responded “Yes”, but not just them. All major entertainment companies will get involved: Sony, Universal, Apple, Time Warner, and Columbia”. “It just seems logical that at some point they would find their way into the industry”.

Feldman also stated “That a family-oriented company such as Disney could get involved in opening an Internet Casino”. Feldman stated that “Disney has certain beliefs about its core brand structure that could prevent it” but stated that” They could always create a sub-brand, as they do with their movie company, Touchstone Pictures whom produces R-rated movies”

MGM Mirage had previously operated n Internet Casino from the Isle of Man in the British Isles. From 2001 through 2003, was open to the people in every country but the USA. Feldman said “The casino failed because of the ban”

MGM Mirage owns and operates several major Las Vegas casinos, which include: MGM Grand Mirage, Bellagio, Monte Carlo, Luxor, Treasure Island and Mandalay Bay.
Feldman said “Around 70 percent of the online wagering market is from the USA”. “That leaves only 30 percent of the market.” Not enough to be profitable”. Although under Frank’s proposal it would be Feldman says”.

MGM Mirage would operate its Internet Casino from Nevada, Feldman said, he also stated that “For the home state to get the tax benefits and that is the point”. In 2007 the Venetian Casino in Las Vegas has plans to operate from the Channel Islands and service United Kingdom only. They could possible turn more towards the USA market with what is still potential new law.

Several major casino corporations have made statements about Internet Gambling, to run from the United States. Ron Reese says “A casino run from the United States which Americans could patronize is surely something the company would be interested in, if it became legal”. Reese quotes “We see it as another opportunity to grow our business”.

Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Arizona co-sponsored the 2006 bill is speaking out against Frank’s bill. Kyl stated “Online poker is currently the most Addictive form of gambling activity among American youth”. He also stated “Online poker players are more likely to exhibit problem gambling symptoms than other types of gamblers, and half of the young people who gamble on the Internet displays signs of problem gambling.

Some web sites in the USA, which are legal, aren’t considered gambling sites because they will offer casino games to be played for free, so not financial risk to players. These sites have the key position to enter legal Internet gambling business in the US if it opened up, because they have already got the Internet infrastructure in place.

For instance: Triple Jack, operates in Coral Springs, Florida, which offers free online poker, with prizes as well as cash to the awarded winners. Triple Jack has been in business operation since 2005, and said to have more than 100,000 registered players.
David Finkelstein, chief executive officer of Triple Jack stated “The US Government is losing out on a lot of money (tax) by not allowing Internet gambling”. “European countries realized this and allow it.”

Robert Blagman co-owner of Media Options Inc. which is a Los Angeles ad agency, and have many clients that include some big hitters in the real money online poker business, such as foreign owned companies, River Belle Poker, 888 Poker, Full Tilt Poker and Party Poker .

Previously all four companies advertised in the USA before the UIEGA was passed. Blagman said “All of our online poker clients immediately stopped advertising in the USA”. This cost his agency more than $1 million in commissions.

Barney Frank’s House Financial Committee has focused on the effect of using new technologies to regulate Internet Gambling, as well as prevent any abuse by anyone underage. Frank gave no time limit on when he would expect the full House of Representatives or the Senate to take a vote on his bill.

Here you will find more on this article by the San Francisco Chronicle.

Watch for the newest updates right here as we keep you informed of the latest up to date news.