What Does UIGEA Implementation Mean?

[lkport]

Part 1, "Unlawful?"

What are the implications of the Unlawful Internet Gambling and Enforcement Act (UIGEA) going into effect June 1, 2010. If only everyone had the same answer to that question. Therein lies the confusion.

First, what is "Unlawful Internet Gambling"? Well gee lets just pull out the federal guidelines about internet gambling. What's that you say? There are no federal guidelines? How would we even know what was unlawful then? Wouldn't that mean that all internet gambling is by default legal? After all the United States prides itself on being a free country. If there is no law against something, that would imply a legal endeavor.

Ok, yes, the wire act can be construed to prohibit sports betting on the internet. No one really seems to dispute that very much. So I guess no more sports betting on the internet. I understand, we want fair sports competition unmarred by seemly game fixing and dive taking. But there is no sports betting on many poker sites such as Doyles Room and Carbon Poker.

The Justice Department and some local states still seem to feel the need to pursue poker sites as unlawful in some way that even they cannot quite determine. The US Attorney's offices try to bully and harass poker sites without ever leveling charges or going to court. They do this for one simple reason. They cannot win any case against a pure poker site because there is No Federal Law Against Online Poker Sites!

They wage a terrorist campaign against what should be legitimate businesses because there is no legal recourse against Online Poker Sites. It would be comical, just as most terror organizations grievances would be comical, if they did not harm so many innocent people with their actions. Ok, terror might be an awfully strong word. Someone please suggest another word that will mean "obtaining through fear, intimidation and brute force that which you are either unentitled to or denied by law." I don't wish to seem a reactionary after all.

Most US Citizens favor legal and regulated online poker. Whatever happened to "Government of the People, By the People, For the People"? Sadly that phrase mocks all Americans who once thought they were citizens of a free society where the majority ruled and their laws prevailed.

Ok, time to jump down off the soap box. And you dim-witted yahoos out there. this is not a call to action or to arms. Put the guns down. Our system is a great system and we should be able to fix it from within. Get out of the bunkers, sell the ammo, pay your taxes and vote you fools.

The next installment coming "whenever I decide to write it" will focus on what enforcement means within the bill's wording and what financial institutions actually are doing or plan to do. Feel free to attempt to correct anything you might feel I am incorrect on. Fair warning, I never let the facts get in the way of a good story, at least I have that in common with the Justice Department.

[vetteman4040]

Not sure of the full impact this will have on US players in funding or cashing out funds from poker sites. From some things I have read, this enforcement will make it very difficult for US players to fund poker sites. FYI - see below:

Internet Gambling Regulations to be Mandatory on June 1, 2010

The six month reprieve on mandatory compliance with the Internet Gambling prohibition ends on June 1, 2010 when all banks must institute policies and procedures to block certain prohibited transactions. It has been more than 17 months since the Department of the Treasury and the Board of Governors first issued the final rule implementing the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) on December 18, 2008 and 42 months since the law was signed in October of 2006. The final rule requires a strengthened screening process at the time of account opening to deny commercial entities that may be acting as Internet casinos access to the payments system. It also requires that policies and procedures be implemented to prevent all debit and credit card payments to Internet casinos. Banks that chose to put off implementation when the mandatory date was delayed must be ready on June 1, 2010. As of this time, the agencies have not produced any examination guidance to assist banks in their compliance efforts.

You can check this link:

Compliance: Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act

[vetteman4040]

Originally Posted by lkport

Whatever happened to "Government of the People, By the People, For the People"?

People don't have a say in anything anymore because they keep re-electing the same people over and over into office. Government needs to change and get these career legislators out!!!!!!

[Corey]

Netspend Visa / MC does not work any longer. I got an automated phone call from them and it even mentioned the UIGEA by name.

First casualty.

Will Usemywallet and Ewalletexpress stay or go?

If they do, there will only be Western Union / Money Gram / Money Orders to deposit. That will slow down online poker for the USA IMO.