State Legislators To Discuss UIGEA

Published: Friday, December 22, 2006 Online-Casinos.com

STATE LEGISLATORS TO DISCUSS UIGEA

This year's annual get-together of state legislators should have plenty to talk about

The annual get-together of the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States should have plenty of meat in their discussions when they meet in Duck Key, Florida next January 12-14. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act passed in October will almost certainly be on the agenda, and hopefully so will the hypocritical carve-outs allowed by the Act for horse-racing and state lotteries.

The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act prohibits the flow of funds between U.S. bettors and offshore Internet gaming sites by making it illegal for banks, credit card companies, or other financial institutions to facilitate offshore wagering accounts. It does not make gambling online an offence by the gambler, although 11 individual states have parochial legislation against the pastime.

Experts at a panel discussion on January 13 entitled, "Internet & Offshore Wagering: A Good Bet for Horsemen" will focus on how the pari-mutuel industry will react to being exempted from the legislation, reports the Thoroughbred Horse Racing journal.

The session will feature perspectives from Ed Martin, president of the Association of Racing Commissioners; Dan Wray, executive director of legislative affairs for New York City off-track betting; Greg Scoggins, national director of regulatory affairs for Magna Entertainment Corp.; Lonny Powell, vice president of public affairs for Youbet.com; and Guy Clark, chairman of the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling.

Funny, we didn't see any online gambling representatives on the list....