IMEGA – a New Fighter in the Battle to Overturn US Online Gambling Ban
We recently reported that Barney Frank’s efforts to overturn the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act were put on hold while his office deals with pressing economic issues. The UIGEA is an Act from 2006 that tries to stop online gambling in the US by preventing banks from processing transactions linked to online gambling.
The UIGEA will turn into a law in December, so the clock is ticking, and news of this delay has caused some distress. But now, just days after this bump in the road, a new fighter has joined the team. This time it’s the the Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association (iMEGA).
iMEGA is challenging the UIGEA in Civil Court, arguing that it is unconstitutional because it limits the personal freedom of players. Arguments began on July 7th, and if all goes well, this could be a major step towards bringing internet gambling back to US players.
Many think it’s just a matter of time until the UIGEA is overturned, but US players are understandably anxious. Right now, it’s still possible for US players to gamble online at certain sites, but many casino companies have pulled out of the US market because of the current legal situation.
Remember, it’s not illegal to gamble online in the US – the law goes after banks and their dealings with casinos. But there are still ways around the system, and US players can still enjoy real-money blackjack and other classic casino games online, from the comfort of their own homes.
