Lobbyists Fight to Make Online Casino Gambling Legal

According to a report in the Washington Post, U.S. legislators, supported by the $16 billion a year online casino industry, are gearing up for a big push to make Internet gambling legal before the end of a six-month reprieve.

Lobbyists are working to push for legislation after Sen. Barney Frank (D-Mass) successfully fought for the six-month interlude to prepare a plan to regulate the flourishing industry, which would supply a windfall profit to the federal government.

Many gamblers prefer online casinos, and the reason is obvious: it's convenient. Players can gamble wherever the urge hits them, and not have to travel to an actual casino: no taking the bus, no waiting in line, no spending extra money on accommodation and meals.

Online gambling was officially permitted until 2004, when Congress passed a bill known as the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Act), making the entire industry illegal. A lot of major businesses went bankrupt after this took place, and others lost a high percentage of income as US citizens were simply not allowed to play and gamble online.

In 2008 the European Commission formally protested to the World Trade Organization about the fact that the USA is acting in an illegal manner by banning foreign companies to trade in their soil.