Poker Law- A Frustration Point UIGEA

9 Dec, 2007 Online Poker, Poker Talk, UIGEA

The provisions of the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act (UIGEA) are general, but applicable only to a specific part of the online gaming industry, and the e-wallets that support them. What part might that be?, you wonder. The part that is based outside the United States of America.

In no way does the law make online gambling in and of itself illegal. It simplly makes it illegal to pay online casino games, or card games where money is involved, if the site and company who owns it is based outside of the United States boarders. With the feelings being projected regarding the laws, many people have an adverse feeling toward the online gaming industry. If we think about all the facts, should a federal law have actually made online gambling and online poker rooms illegal, the states would never have had to write their own laws about online gambling activities.

Washington State, Louisiana and others have turned online gambling into a felony. That comes with a stigma for the remainder of a person’s life, all because they would play a game they enjoy from the comfort of their home. It is the same ‘protect our casino revenue’ attitude found in these laws that is the basis of the UIGEA. The politicians do not want to stop gambling in all forms, just online with companies who do not pay their taxes.

Frustration abounds among poker players, and online casino players alike.