INTRODUCTION OF INTERNET GAMING REGULATION LEGISLATION IN THE U.S.

Statement by John K. FitzGerald, Chief Executive of the Interactive Gaming Council (IGC)

               May 6, 2009 - “The IGC and its’ members enthusiastically endorse the legislation introduced by House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank and Rep. Jim McDermott to license, regulate and tax non-sports Internet gaming in the United States.   We believe that licensing and regulation is the best way to protect minors and problem gamblers, while respecting the rights of adults to select their own entertainment choices.  Today, dozens of countries employ such regulatory systems, and it is time for the U.S. to do so as well. 

               “We also thank Chairman Frank for taking an important step to address the flawed regulations that were finalized pursuant to the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.  We believe that there is a better way for the U.S. to stop prohibited gambling, such as sports betting, without the burdens this regulation will impose on financial institutions and legal gaming operations.”

               “Rep. McDermott’s legislation recognizes that, against the backdrop of massive federal deficits, IGC represents an industry that is asking to pay U.S. taxes; his legislation would provide a stream of revenue that can fund important programs or reduce the federal deficit.”

               “We congratulate Chairman Frank and Rep. McDermott on their leadership on these issues, and we look forward to working with them as they move the United States toward a rational policy of licensing and regulating Internet gaming.”

Contacts:

Keith Furlong, Deputy Director, | Phone: 1-732-687-0880

Interactive Gaming Council (IGC) Applauds Kentucky Court of Appeal Ruling Prohibiting the Seizure of Online Gaming Domain Names

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky January 20, 2009 – The IGC applauds the Kentucky Court of Appeals ruling today that prohibited the State of Kentucky’s seizure of 141 domain names belonging to Internet gambling operators, many of whom are members of the IGC.

“As a result of the appeals process an informed and judicious decision has been made, which confirms our original views on these proceedings. IGC members are pleased and we stand committed to continuing our advocacy of a regulated online gaming industry.  The IGC strongly believes that if policy makers want to protect children, individuals that suffer adverse consequences of excessive gambling and the general public, the true and only response is regulation,” stated John Kennedy FitzGerald, IGC Chief Executive Officer. 

FitzGerald went on to say, “the IGC took a leadership role in advancing these proceedings on behalf of internet businesses everywhere and our organization is humbled by this decision and by the overwhelming support received from internet businesses and free speech organizations everywhere and we wish to thank them for their support throughout this process.”

The appellate court ruling was welcome news to the strong coalition, including the Poker Players Alliance, the ACLU of Kentucky and the Electronic Frontier Foundation, all of whom argued that the original seizure of domain names was inappropriate.

"This is a very important decision for anyone doing business on the internet," said Jeff Ifrah, counsel for the Interactive Gaming Council (IGC). "We hope this will prevent misguided state officials from considering litigation against on-line industries located outside of its state boundaries. While this proceeding was ill conceived, the judicial process was permitted to properly function for which we are grateful. The Court of Appeals has now corrected a fundamental misunderstanding by the trial judge in this proceeding regarding the nature of the internet and the legality of online gaming in Kentucky," Ifrah continued. 

Contact: Keith Furlong, Deputy Director, Phone: 1-732-687-0880

Is Online Poker Legal?

By Dan Cypra for POKER NEWS DAILY

December 02, 2008 - CBS News program “60 Minutes,” which aired on Sunday night, claimed on multiple occasions that online poker was illegal in the United States. Near the top of the show, correspondent Steve Kroft narrated, “We should tell you that this $18 billion industry is illegal in the U.S.” However, is that really the case? Is online poker really illegal? Poker News Daily sat down with gambling law expert Professor I. Nelson Rose to discuss the legality of online poker.

Interestingly, Rose noted that the producers of the popular Sunday night program called him in order to ask his interpretation of whether online poker is legal. He told Poker News Daily, “I thought I made it clear to them. You can’t say for sure that online poker is illegal. There are too many variables. The show gave the false impression that it’s a crime to play poker when in fact in probably half of the states, you’re not committing any crime at all.

Read the full article on Poker News Daily: http://www.pokernewsdaily.com/is-online-poker-legal-770/