April 15th is the infamous anniversary of what has become known as “Black Friday”. This as we all know was when the FBI shut down online poker sites that included PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and Absolute Poker. There have also been legal action taken against some of these company executives and include charges of fraud and money laundering.
Responsible and regulated online gambling is key to the success of the online scratch cards market. Once legalized in the U.S. all scratchgames devotees will have the choice to scratch and win from proven and trusted sites. The current situation of unregulated online poker and scratch sites operating are deterring many who are waiting for the chance to try their luck on reputable scratch card sites.
In light of this anniversary, many industry players like the American Gaming Association have called on the Federal government to regulate and control the online gambling industry.
As we have reported extensively there are major changes underway in the U.S. online gambling market in light of the Justice Department’s revised stance on the Wire Act of 1961 which up to now was the main stumbling block from legalizing online gambling.
It is becoming apparent to all that the ultimate solution for both online poker and scratchcards players is a carefully negotiated plan that would benefit both scratchgames players and state authorities.
The AGA is looking to Congress to revise and modernize the Wire Act in order to properly regulate and control illegal offshore gambling sites that continue to operate at the expense of other online sites that are not available to U.S. online Players.
The call for clarity and conformity is seen by many like the AGA as essential in order to provide online casino players the clarity they need when gambling is finally legalized whether on a State or Federal level.
The current economic situation in the U.S. is compelling many States to generate tax revenues from alternative sources like scratchcards. It is election year and many look to taxing online scratch cards as the ideal alternative to raising taxes.