The United States would see the most significant change. Representative Barney Frank (Democrat from Massachusetts) is expected to present legislation that will repeal the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in the next few days. Steve Adams (communications director, House Financial Services Committee), of which Mr Frank chairs, said that he supports the bill and wants to see it through. Gavin Kelleher, a researcher at H2 Gambling Capital in Ireland, stated that there is a lot of gambling but no revenue going into the governments.
Although Frank was unsuccessful in this task in 2007, liberalization advocates believe they may get a more friendly hearing in Washington. President Barack Obama boasted his poker skills during the election campaign. Democrats have increased their hold on Congress, which is seen as less hostile than the Republicans to Internet gambling.
Analysts believe that this may be a way to get ahead of the game. The National Football League and the Christian Coalition of America are against repeal. They have promised to resist any attempt to remove the ban. Michele Combs, the spokeswoman for Christian Coalition, said that the group was preparing for massive lobbying and a letter-writing campaign to stop any loosening.
The U.S. leagues of sports are concerned that online betting could increase the likelihood of game-fixing. Even the most ardent online gambling and casino games supporters acknowledge that legalizing internet sports betting is unlikely. This is in contrast to playing poker or other casino games. Nick stated that there is a greater chance of some gaming legislation being approved.
Bartram is an analyst at KBC Peel Hunt in London, a brokerage company. “But it took longer to implement anti-gaming legislation, so it may take longer to remove it.”
Analysts believe that forming partnerships with American casino operators is one option for European companies if the ban is lifted. This would allow PartyGaming and other European companies to share their online expertise. However, analysts said they could struggle to get licenses if they operate alone due to their history with U.S. law enforcement.
Las Vegas executives have remained cautious about legalizing online gambling. In an email, Steve Wynn (chief executive of Wynn Resorts) stated that he believed it would prove difficult to regulate. “Even though it would benefit our company, it would be impossible to regulate. Therefore, we are strongly opposed to it,” he stated.
Other online gambling companies, such as Sportingbet and 888 Holdings, are still discussed with the U.S. Justice Department. Analysts believe they will be joining companies such as Bwin International, whose stock trades in Vienna, consolidate the industry, and possibly move back to the U.S.
Others, such as the Netherlands, Germany, Greece, and Greece, are still refusing to comply with what the European Commission considers an attempt to protect government-sponsored gambling Monopolies from the private competition. In March, the commission published a report that argued that the United States violated World Trade Organization rules in excluding European gambling companies. Even though online horse racing betting is permitted in the United States, this is true. The commission stated that it preferred negotiations over legal action to end the dispute.