The use of master cards was considered as one of the most popular methods of payment at online casinos. But now unfortunately, Master Card and credit card processing in general is going through a difficult time as it has decided to stop taking all gambling transactions.

The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act may not go into effect until June. While there are some major credit card companies who have stopped processing online gambling transaction. Even Visa, one the biggest credit card supplier in the US, has become the latest company that has blocked the transactions.

MasterCard casinos have already shocked many a few weeks ago with their decision that they have stopped taking all gaming transactions in the US; which leads to a chain of unfortunate events. The reason for Master Card block is the US federal court recent ruling in which Douglas Rennick’s contempt order was upheld. He was accused of online gambling transactions worth $350 million and still faces conspiracy charges – something Master Card hopes to avoid.

The completed deposits (funds) through Master Card, during the last month that were accepting MC deposits are being investigated by the company. Millions of players in the US will be affected by Visa decision to block their gambling transactions.

Now it has to be seen from the online players perspective that what alternative methods they use into their online casino accounts. There are still a range of options available including E-Wallets, E-Checks, and Paypal etc.

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But definitely credit card companies like Master and VISA will lose millions of dollars after this recent decision! Luckily, Canadian players have not been affected by the recent Master Card block.

Posted by Diana Sterling in Gambling News | No Comments » March 2nd, 2010

This Christmas is surely starting off with a bang as Barney Frank, Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, has scheduled a hearing on December 3rd before the Committee for both the online gambling related bills that he had sponsored. Also, Treasury and the Federal Reserve have agreed to delay the implementation of the UIGEA by six months although there is no formal announcement.

Frank had introduced the bills in May 2009. House Resolution 2266 or the Reasonable Prudence Regulation Act (RPRA) seeks to delay the implementation of the UIGEA by one year. House Resolution 2267 or the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act (IGRCPEA) seek to legalize online gambling and create a regulated and transparent online gambling framework for its taxation. HR 2266 has 53 co-sponsors and HR 2267 has 63 co-sponsors.

The anti-UIGEA bills hearings will be held in public in Room 2128 of the Rayburn House Office Building and broadcasted live over the Web. Frank will lead the questioning of the witnesses. The opposition will be spearheaded by Spencer Bachus, who is the leader of the Republicans on the committee. The House Financial Services Committee consists of 41 Democrats and 29 Republicans.

If these bills make it through the committee they will have to be voted on by the House and the Senate and signed by the President before becoming lawful. An earlier legislation that Frank had introduced in 2008 was approved by a 30-19 margin in the committee but later lapsed.

One reason to defer the implementation of the UIGEA Rules was that the hearings for the anti-UIGEA bills were scheduled for December 3rd. The UIGEA Rules are scheduled to go in to effect on December 1st. So some compromise has been reached between the representatives of the online gambling industry and the federal authorities. The UIGEA Rules will be deferred for six months and not one year as earlier sought by the industry.

Joe Brennan Junior of iMEGA said, “It’s really surprising we got this concession. It’s very unusual for any department of the government to essentially forestall an act of Congress. This is a testament to the power of Congressman Frank. This has been his pet issue, because it is part of his core values, for some time now.”

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Posted by Diana Sterling in Gambling News, Online Gambling | No Comments » December 10th, 2009

This weak in Philadelphia the third Circuit court witnessed the hearing of the recent UIGEA online casino ban scandal. The appeal was made by the iMEGA lawsuit against the US Department of Justice and was aimed at justifying the case in the court of law.

The court seemed to have all its facts ready during the hearing and according to Joe Brennan, the president of iMEGA, they had to face pretty twisted questions from the court regarding the ban. One of the main inquiry questions was about the issue of where an Internet bet takes place. They provided the options of whether it be at the computer of origin, the location of the player account, or the server hosting the gambling site.

However to everyone’s surprise the government attorneys fought well in defense and attacked iMEGA’s right to represent its clients and had proper eminence. Well known US attorney Nicholas Bagley seemed ignorant of the fact that the argument had already been ruled upon beforehand, with iMEGA receiving the right to go ahead.

On the other hand the president, Brennan noted that the court panel questioned iMEGA lawyers much longer than they inquired the US representatives, although he felt he could not base any judgment upon this observation. It may have been positive or negative for iMEGA. The judges also inquired about the pending legislation from US Representative Barney Frank, which if passed would leave the case without any decision. It has also been heard that there has been discussion over this issue among legal experts. It is said that the court may postpone judgment expecting for the Frank Bill to proceed, therefore relieving them of the hassle of a complex, long awaited and precedent-setting decision.

Brennan stated that the court’s decisions normally take ninety days, and the earliest a decree may be heard would still require a month of waiting. The agonizing waiting game begins again for online casino operators with everyday causing loss of players and business.

Posted by Diana Sterling in Gambling News, Online Gambling | No Comments » July 14th, 2009

Poker players in the U.S. state of Minnesota heaved a sigh of relief, as the state’s attempt to block a black list of 200 online poker

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and gambling sites was officially dropped, according to Rep. Pat Garofalo in an announcement on June 4. In his announcement, he added that no further action will be taken.

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The ban was initiated by the state’s Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division, a division of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS). The division cited a 1961 federal anti-gambling law, the state’s Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division claims that all online gambling conducted within state borders is illegal, even if the games are hosted outside the United States. The division had instructed 11 national and regional telephone and Internet service providers (ISPs) to block access by all Minnesota-based computers to nearly 200 gambling websites.

Statements from several bodies including the Interactive Media Entertainment and Gaming (iMEGA) lobby group and the Poker Players Alliance (PPA) were quickly released regarding the illegality of the move. In addition, iMEGA wrote to the 11 ISPs last month telling them to ignore the order, and filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court of Minneapolis against the Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division’s director John Willems.

Simultaneously, Minnesota State Rep. Pat Garofalo introduced legislation to prevent the division from enforcing the ban. His bill also asked that legislative approval be necessary in any similar or future ban attempts.

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Garafolo said in a statement: “This is a great day for internet freedom. In the spirit of cooperation and in recognition of the rescission of these notices, I am more than happy to withdraw my bill and in its place sponsor a discussion aimed at establishing a framework for regulating and licensing the online gaming industry.”

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The Moonstone rip PPA Minnseota State Director Matthew Werden said: “Minnesota poker players made our voices heard; the state listened and ended its ill-advised and improper attempt to circumvent the rights of Minnesota poker players.” He added, “We commend Representative Garofalo for literally taking this misguided effort head on and resolving it without incident.”

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Posted by Diana Sterling in Poker | No Comments » June 16th, 2009

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The European Union requested the United States to drop its ban of online casinos and start complying with global trade agreements.

Of all the myriad of groups attacking the United States online gambling ban, the country’s trading partners in the European Union are the most worth mentioning. The European Union publicly prompted the United States to give up on the prohibition on online casinos on June 10th, stating that enforcing it breaks international trade agreements.

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According to the report, the US restricts trade in violation of World Trade Organization standards by blocking and prosecuting overseas online gambling companies.

The Justice Department and the rest of the Executive Branch are attempting to build a block of Internet gambling which is facing legislative and legal challenges domestically, along with the furtherance of the European Union complaint. According to the European Union leaders, they could demand compensation for unfair trade practices from the World Trade Organization, but would rather settle amicably, if possible.

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Boiler Room download The European Union has been asked by Members of the Remote Gaming Association to pursue investigations into United States policy regarding foreign-based Internet gambling operators. RGA is the industry organ for European online casinos.

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United States companies such as horse racing businesses are able to operate online and overseas, while foreign companies are discriminated against, according to the complaints. Long after the European operators abandoned the United States market, Prosecutions have continued against them whereas United States interests operate online gambling sites blithely and without fear of reprisal.

“We are hoping to get President Obama behind a broadening of world-wide trade to stimulate the world economy, and will try to reach a happy solution,” the European Union officials said. “However, the $100 billion their members have lost due to United States actions will not be forgotten,” warned the RGA officials.

Posted by Diana Sterling in Online Gambling | No Comments » June 11th, 2009

Internet Gambling Regulation Consumer Protection & Enforcement Act has finally been introduced in the US congress on 6th of May. After much apprehension, Barney Frank, the Chairman of the U.S. House Financial Services Committee insinuated a new legislation in Congress that would not only evaginate the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) of 2006 but would also authenticate a legal gubernatorial schema to authorize online gambling in the United States.

The upcoming bill, commonly referred to as the Internet Gambling Regulation Consumer Protection & Enforcement Act, would give U.S. Treasury Department the ascendancy to administer the way online gambling is carried throughout the nation. The Treasury Department would have the authority to issue or revoke licenses through which this system would be implemented.

Interestingly enough as a side note, Mr. Frank informed the reporters that he will also usher a bill that would suspend the exertion of UIGEA.

The concerned legislation is highly anticipated not only in the United States but also overseas. According to a report, a number of Internet gambling websites have displaced a good amount of Euros because of UIGEA. The legislation has not only constrained trade relations between USA and EU; but has also resulted in the unjustified litigation against European gambling companies like PartyGaming.

It is anticipated that because Congress and White house are now in democratic hands, it might pave the way for the proposed legislation. Nevertheless, nothing can be said for sure right now, as the antagonism to Internet gambling is still quite intense in the US political community.

Spencer Bachus, another representative of the House Financial Services Committee, for instance, has already expressed his opposition to the proposed legislation. “Online Gambling is an illegal business,” he opinionated. “To allow them to operate unrestricted, it would pose a threat to the future of our youth, as they would be accustomed to gambling at a very tender age.”

Posted by Diana Sterling in Online Gambling | No Comments » May 8th, 2009

The government of Sweden has warned that it will block access to all online casino websites for their residents. According to latest news and surveys, this plan is against the wishes of the public in Sweden. The Swedish citizens are consistently demanding censorship not to be allowed and they are in favor of open market strategy.

Ladbrokes is also advertising against the government acts, and they are terming it as monopolization of online gambling. Ladbrokes holds both online and land casinos in Sweden, it is spending a handsome budget on TV ads explaining the Swedes, the cost they will bear upon monopolization. Their ads are encouraging open market strategy and focusing on the high cost and limited choices to consumers.

The Swedish government is trying to develop a similar concept as UIGEA with the addition of Internet filters. But most importantly they will face a strong opposition from EU as this law is contrary to the European union laws and several lawmakers have already termed it as illegal.

If the Swedish government planned to go ahead with this law, they will have to fight it on their own, it’s not only about blocking online casinos, but whatever the government authorities seems appropriate. By placing the Internet filtering system, many of the residents are feared, that their online shops maybe be blocked too. A number of Sweden own agencies have also strongly criticized the plan. Public figures are lining up to strongly oppose this measure, and are trying to persuade the government for reversing the plan through public protests.

On the other hand, the Swedish authority of gaming control Svenska Skel is fully endorsing the plan, and calling its implementation very necessary to get rid of problem gaming. They are realistic, that they will cut out addiction by placing such a system. But the fact is that blocking online gaming has yet to work for many countries, and several illegal online casinos are some how able to get through the block.

Posted by Diana Sterling in Online Gambling | No Comments » April 10th, 2009

 USA

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are receiving bad news. The Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board today announced the release of a joint final rule to implement the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006.  As you should remember UIGEA is law that prevent US casino player to deposit in any internet casino.

 

In layman’s terms, this means that while Americans will still be able to play online poker legally, it will be illegal for financial institutions to accept deposits for the purposes of online gambling.

One of the promises on his website is to protect the Internet from censorship and government interference – surely a good sign for those affected by the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.

 

If you are an US online casino player, you still have some options, where to play around.  Visit our complete list about online casino still accepting US casino players.

 

Posted by Diana Sterling in Payment Methods | No Comments » November 18th, 2008