The Impact of the UIGEA on American Internet Gambling
Date Added: November 6, 2008
In 2006 the U.S. Government enacted the Security and Accountability For Every Port Act (SAFE Port Act) in order to counter the threat from terrorism. A section called the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) was included in the SAFE Port Act. It was believed that terrorist organizations were using online gambling sites for money laundering and in order to put a stop to this the UIGEA prohibited American banks and other financial service providers from transferring funds to online gambling sites.
This proved to be a recipe for disaster. Even before the UIGEA was passed the U.S. authorities had been clamping down on money laundering. There had been some prominent arrests and some owners of prominent online gambling sites were forced to abscond. The passing of the UIGEA was the proverbial last straw. Playtech online casinos stopped accepting American customers. NETeller also moved away from the United States. Because American financial service providers blocked transfers to online gambling sites American online players were hard pressed to find a credible online casino. Not only did the American players suffer but so did the online casinos world wide because American players contributed to a significant portion of their revenues. Hence the UIGEA found itself attacked from all sides. American online players formed associations like the Poker Players Alliance and the iMEGA, which acted against the UIGEA. The European Union and the country of Antigua took up the matter in world forums like the WTO on behalf of the online gambling sites in their countries. Yet till date the American Government has stuck resolutely to its stand.
However there are some online gambling sites that accept American players. The problem facing American players is that in their quest to find online casinos that accept them they should not end up playing at casinos that are not suitable. Fortunately for them there are some online directories that have identified proper online casinos that accept American players. Top Casino Directory is one the best of such web sites. Top Casino Directory features a list of trusted and reliable online casinos that still accept U.S. players at their sites. Most of the online casinos featured in the list accept American players from all states. There are also online casinos powered by Microgaming that allow players from America provided they are not from Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin. Recently Kentucky has been added to that list. This is because of the local state laws. But American players can play at any of the online casinos recommended by Top Casino Directory without worrying. It is worth noting that these casinos allow players to make seamless deposits using credit cards, along with other deposit options.
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