When the US Government decided to enact the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, many UK online bingo sites suffered extensive financial losses. Since then the UK and the EU have continuously challenged the US Government in terms of this Act and it seems as though they are weakening on their resolve.
It seems that on point that emerged is that federal law is not clear on what kind of online gambling is illegal and one of the most common complaints about UIGEA is that the rules do not clearly define “key terms” this leaves financial institutions with serious “compliance” difficulties. According to one Congressman this places consumers at risk as they have to define for themselves what is lawful or unlawful internet gambling. The recent hearing might provide some hope for UK and EU online bingo operators, but presently there is no solid outcome from the hearing.
Basically the UK and EU have complained that the enforcement of UIGEA has compromised the right to free trade between member countries of the World Trade Organization and the practice of this kind of exclusionism is extremely unfair to online bingo operators in member countries.
