27-04-2006 The American Gaming Association calls for study of online gambling

While the US lobbying group for the casino industry remains neutral on pending Republican bills that would make offshore internet gambling a criminal offense in the US, the AGA board now strongly supports the creation of a one-year Congressional study commission that would evaluate whether online gambling could be regulated.

"Such a commission could evaluate whether legalization, regulation and taxation on a state-option basis may be a more viable option than a complete ban on Internet gambling, and would report back to Congress its recommendations on the best way to deal with the issue," said Frank Fahrenkopf Jr, President and CEO of the American Gaming Association.

"Millions of Americans currently gamble online, and they will continue to do so. And many nations, including Great Britain, are in the process of legalizing, regulating and taxing online gambling," he added.

"The AGA board thinks a comprehensive study commission should take into account policy issues ranging from how best to protect children and problem gamblers to whether Internet gambling can be effectively legalized and regulated in the United States rather than leaving bettors to fend for themselves on illegal, unregulated offshore sites. The study also should include consideration of recent WTO rulings indicating the United States’ position on Internet gaming may be in violation of international trade obligations," concluded Fahrenkopf.

Talks of a more accommodative US view of internet gambling boosted the shares of Britain’s online gaming companies, with BetonSports, Sportingbet and PartyGaming all up between 3 and 6 per cent at the end of the day.