EU pressing US on online gambling legalization

Fortunately for the millions of online gambling enthusiasts in the United States, the European Union is not letting the internet gambling issue with the U.S. go and continue to press on a solution. The European Commission urged the United States to drop its ban on online gambling companies this week, maintaining the previous position held by the EU administration that the online gambling ban passed during the Bush administration violates world trade agreements. The EU went a step further this time around, noting that it could seek compensation from the World Trade Organization on the online gambling issue, claiming that banning foreign gambling websites from operating in the U.S. violates international trade laws.

Emphasize was also placed on the online gambling bill introduced by Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass) which would legalize the online gambling industry in the United States, add safeguards against money laundering and other illegal activities, in addition to protecting the gamblers. According to the EU report, negotiations between the U.S. and the European Union could indeed lead to a more sensible legal framework for the online gambling industry worldwide. The new EU reports comes just days after the U.S. authorities seized around $30 million from bank accounts believed to be related to online poker and other gambling websites.

Published on 06/12/2009