UIGEA and RAWA news and analysis

In September 2006, the United States House of Representatives and Senate passed legislation that would make it illegal for financial institutions to conduct monetary transactions with online gambling sites. This legislation, termed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), was "tacked on" in the final hours (shortly before adjourning for the midterm elections) as an amendment to the unrelated and virtually unstoppable SAFE Port Act, which was intended to improve the security of American ports. The Act was signed into law by then U.S. President Bush on October 13, 2006. The specific UIGEA part of the Act can be read here.

Several large online gambling operators including 888.com, Party Gaming and Bwin immediately stopped accepting bets from U.S. customers, and saw their stock prices tumble accordingly. However, many other operators have continued to accept customers from the United States despite the legal uncertainty this law has created.

Curiously, no part of the UIGEA defines what exactly "unlawful Internet gambling" is and no part of the Act prohibits anyone from gambling online. A couple of years of hindsight has revealed the effects of this legislation to be:

  • A minor inconvenience for U.S. players who would like to play poker or casino games online;
  • A flourishing industry of smaller, less visible, and largely unregulated operators happy to accept customers from the USA;
  • Most of the largest, most professional, and well regulated operators unwilling or unable to accept U.S. customers;
  • Billions of potential tax revenue lost by State and Federal U.S. governments.

Below you can find an archive of all UIGEA related news articles we have posted to the site.

Michigan Gets New Online Gambling Bill

This week a Michigan politician introduced a new bill that would legalize online gambling within The Wolverine State, the latest in a string of bills looking to legalize and regulate the activity.

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Michigan Gets New Online Gambling Bill

This week a Michigan politician introduced a new bill that would legalize online gambling within The Wolverine State, the latest in a string of bills looking to legalize and regulate the activity.

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Minnesota Lawmaker to Introduce Sportsbetting Bill

This week a Minnesota politician announced his plans to introduce a sportsbetting bill, which would legalize the activity within its borders.

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Sessions Will Recuse Himself in Wire Act Discussions

This week a spokeswoman for US Attorney General Jeff Sessions revealed that he will be recusing himself from any discussions related to the classification of The Wire Act, a posititve step for those looking to see states continuing offering online betting within their borders.

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Sessions Will Recuse Himself in Wire Act Discussions

This week a spokeswoman for US Attorney General Jeff Sessions revealed that he will be recusing himself from any discussions related to the classification of The Wire Act, a posititve step for those looking to see states continuing offering online betting within their borders.

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Supreme Court Will Hear New Jersey Sportsbetting Case

Today the United States Supreme Court revealed that they will hear the state of New Jersey's appeal related to legalizing sportsbetting within their borders, possibly opening the door to legalizing sportsbetting throughout the country.

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U.S. Solicitor General Urged to Back New Jersey Sportsbetting Bill

This week New Jersey politician Frank Pallone urged the U.S. Solicitor General to support the Garden State in its efforts to legalize sportsbetting within its borders.

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Trump and Adelson Relationship Reportedly on the Rocks

The relationship between President Donald Trump and prominent casino tycoon Sheldon Adelson is reportedly on the rocks after the POTUS failed to appoint the POS's recommendations for posts in his administration.

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Anti-Gambling Politician Won't Seek Re-Election

Utah Representative and anti-gambling activist Jason Chaffetz announced this week that he won't be seeking re-election in 2018.

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Anti-Gambling Politician Won't Seek Re-Election

Utah Representative and anti-gambling activist Jason Chaffetz announced this week that he won't be seeking re-election in 2018.

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