Casino News

Online gamblers will find a way, says report

2006-10-10 14:40:00

Online gamblers are condemning moves by the US government to limit the industry, and say they will find other ways to play, the Wall Street Journal has reported.

The crackdown on US gambling online will limit any citizen's access by forcing banks to refrain from processing payments that originate from online casinos and gaming sites.

The spokesman for MGM Mirage, Alan Feldman, said: "Trying to stop internet gambling is akin to trying to hold a wave on the sand and stop the ocean from sending any more."

Gambling restrictions are limited to the online casinos under the proposed law, set to be made law this week by President Bush, exempting pari-mutuel horse betting and state-run lotteries and ensuring that the site would all remain legal.

The Guardian has also reported that three more companies have desisted US operations in expectation of Bush's ruling and many others will declare bankruptcy under the new law.

President of the American Gaming Association Frank Fahrenkopf told the Wall Street Journal that he doesn't think the new law will affect the long-term health of the online gaming industry.

He said regulating the industry in the US would be a more viable option than banning it, and is confident that "new companies will pop up.

"The money will find its way there."