Sunday, October 08, 2006

With the initial panic over last weekend's rushed US Congress action against
online gambling dying down, operational companies are starting to look more
objectively at the practical implications of this essentially financial
restrictive US proposal. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Prohibition Act
contains no provisions that would make it illegal for a person located in
the U.S. to place a bet with an online gambling company. All provisions are
directed at trying to stop the flow of US money to offshore gambling
companies. Jackpot Factory group started the positive ball rolling when it
announced earlier in the week that whilst it was monitoring the situation it
would be business as usual when it came to US players (see previous
Online-Casinos.com/InfoPowa reports) Several other major online casino and
poker room groups have now followed suit, and as we went to press the
respected Cardplayer.com site had published an excellent and practical
review of the entire situation which will go some way to calming the
business hysteria that has been so prevalent this week. The Leisure and
Gaming group, which includes many top online gambling companies,
acknowledged the introduction of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement
Bill, is monitoring the situation closely and is continuing to take legal
advice on any impact this may have on its business. In the meantime the
group continues to operate its business in the usual course. The important
Mansion group said that the full effect of the legislation at this time
remains unclear. Mansion continues to closely monitor developments of the
proposed amendments to U.S. legislation, and the online gambling group is
actively seeking the best legal advice to remain fully informed. "We are
committed to ensuring our members are well informed, should any of the
proposed regulations have an impact on the conduct of our business and the
availability of our products and services," says the announcement, adding
that: "We wish to reassure our members that at this time, Mansion continues
to trade normally and we remain committed to delivering the quality and
standard of service that they have come to expect from us."

The Roxy Palace and Vegas Splendido online casinos told webmasters that the
company will be conducting business as usual and will still accept US
players at both casinos.

The Board of International All Sports Limited ("IAS") issued a statement
saying that the company "....is disappointed that the USA Government is
passing laws to circumvent its commitment under the General Agreement of
Trade and Services to the World Trade Organisation to allow free
international trade in an effort to protect USA gaming companies that
operate in the USA."

The Board noted that US horse racing has been exempted from the legislation
and as such this aspect would not affect the business of IASbet.com. Turning
to subsidiary Canbet, the international brand of IAS that operates out of
the United Kingdom the statement said the US proposal is not expected to
have any financial effect on the operating profit of the group.