This is the first installment of our blogs for daily gambling news. Most of the gambling news blog entries will be a run down of what is going on recently with links and comments, but we also plan on presenting some in depth analysis for certain big events. Today, we are just going to run down the days top stories:
- Yes, Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank Favors A Return Of Internet Gambling but there are so many special interests in congress these days that I wouldn't hold my breath on Barney making an impact by himself. He is going to need a lot more help, which I have not seen yet.
- A much more significant news item is that the EU Warns Germany about Internet Gambling Ban. What is happening here is that the US is being pushed into a corner by the EU because of international trade agreements. You see, the US sanctions land based gambling, state lotteries and horse racing, but is trying to ban online gambling. Sure, there has always been hypocrisy in Washington, but this is a little different because the issue in question crosses international boundaries. It appears that the international governing bodies, such at the World Trade Organization (WTO) will eventually push countries to either ban all forms of gambling or allow all forms of gambling. This all may come to a head when the WTO rules on a case filed with the WTO by the tiny nation of Antigua against the US. This case has been going on for some time now, so don't hold your breath for a ruling anytime soon, but we will keep you updated if there are any developments.
- In Britain, online gambling is legal, but UK gambling firms bemoan budget tax deal. The online casinos are upset, but I would imagine they would prefer extra taxes by the US instead of the current ban.
- For those people worried about how to get money that is currently being help by Neteller, NETeller says working to free up seized US funds. This is good news to a lot of US players that have been left out in the cold since the ban.