ACRONYMS ABOUND AS U.S. ONLINE GAMBLING LAW SHAKE-UP BEGINS

8 June 2007

Brush up on your acronyms - new groups are in the legislative mix

The United States online gambling legislative scene is definitely front and centre at present, with a bewildering array of new acronyms to join the already widely known DoJ (Department of Justice), the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) and the over half a million strong PPA (Poker Players' Alliance)

Becoming increasingly prominent we now have the IGREA (Congressman Frank's Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act seeking to licence and regulate online gambling in the US) and the GRTEA, or Gambling Regulation and Tax Enforcement Act, a companion taxation bill introduced by Congressman Jim McDermott.

Adding to the list is the SGPA, or Skill Game Protection Act introduced this week by Florida Representative Robert Wexler, a measure that would allow Americans to gamble in online skill games like poker, Mah-jong, backgammon, chess and bridge as carve-outs from the UIGEA....and why not? If it's good for the horserace and state lotteries, it's good enough for poker.

Suggested enforcer for US licencees is the US FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network)

New organisations challenging the UIGEA and its zealous enforcement by the DoJ are organisations like the SSIGI (Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative) and the mysterious organisation which surfaced just prior to the GIGSE conference in Montreal this week iMEGA (Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association, a grass roots organisation that is seeking an injunction against the enforcement of the UIGEA.)

Still with us?

The Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative is an organisation intent on mobilising supporters across the USA to support regulated Internet gambling. Founders of the Initiative are the UC Group and Baker Tilly together with other sponsors. The UC Group provides integrated payment processing services and logistical support to online product and service providers. Baker Tilly is an independent member of Baker Tilly International, the 8th largest accountancy network in the world by fees. The organisation has n informative website at http://www.safeandsecureig.org.

The Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association describes itself as a grass roots organisation that is seeking an injunction against the enforcement of the UIGEA. It is fronted by some impressive Washington legal muscle and is reportedly very well funded by a group of wealthy individuals concerned at the erosion of personal liberties and the Internet, who have apparently identified the UIGEA as a good target to stop the growing authoritarian rot. iMEGA has made a good start by initiating civil litigation against the US Attorney General, the Federal Reserve and the Federal Trade Commission in a New Jersey District Court.

This increasing activity in Congress and in the courts is evidence of a growing opposition to the UIGEA and a real interest in the taxation and safety benefits that could flow from regulation.

Expect more acronyms soon as Nevada Representative Shelley Berkely and her 40 or more sponsors table a proposal calling for an independent commission to study and report on the practicalites of licencing and regulation in the States....that one's supported by the AGA (American Gaming Association!)

Online Casino News courtesy of InfoPowa