On 30 September 2006 the US Senate passed the SAFE Port Act which also contains a section referred to as the Unlawful
Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006.
The new act primarily affects online payment transactions for games of chance, which have been deemed unlawful under
US American law, and aims to prevent these by threatening severe punishment, court sanctions and regulatory action. This statute
adds a new subchapter to Chapter 53 of the United States Code stating that online games of chance are primarily financed through
credit card payments and money transfers and that new enforcement tools have become necessary for the Internet. Not only sports
bets, but also games of chance and lotteries, are affected by the bet or wager definition. The law makes payment transactions
related to unlawful online games of chance virtually impossible, listing all payment options affected in detail as is customary
for US legislation.
In addition, § 5367 also contains a provision about the liability of any company or person involved in such transactions.
This also applies to operations owned or controlled by someone who accepts unlawful bets and wagers.
Luck of the Irish Casino is also affected by the bill which was signed into law today by President George W. Bush.
Luck of the Irish Casino regrets that the US has taken this step which will make it virtually impossible for listed,
strictly regulated and transparent operators to offer real money entertainment to US customers. Luck of the Irish Casino.net
is doubtful whether US authorities will be able to achieve their stated goals - protection of minors and the prevention of
gaming addiction - by introducing such legislation.
Past experience with restrictive measures to prevent the abuse of alcohol has shown that such prohibition did not have
the desired effect, merely driving consumers underground and contributing to the rapid growth of an entirely unregulated black
market.
The online gaming industry is unanimous in its view that the creation of forward-looking regulation can more effectively
address issues such as consumer protection, the protection of minors, the prevention of gaming addiction, or the prevention
of money laundering. Such a policy, if properly monitored by the authorities, would be much more effective than this general
ban.
