The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act is Title VIII of the SAFE Port Act of 2006. The SAFE Port Act is an act covering the security of ports in the United States, to which an online gambling measure was introduced at the last minute. The UIGEA was attached to the PORT SECURITY ACT as a last minute maneuver by Senator Bill Frist (Rep), Jim Leach (Rep) and Robert Goodlatte (Rep)
The UIGEA prohibits the transfer of funds from American financial institutions to online gambling sites, excluding fantasy sports, online lotteries and hose racing. As a result of this, a lot of online casinos and poker rooms stopped accepting players and accounts from the United States.
Now, this Act does not make online gambling illegal – no, far from it. As stated above, all it does is stop financial institutions from funding accounts.
Under the provisions surrounding Internet Computer Services (ICS’s), the Attorney General has nearly unlimited power to remove websites they believe are violating the Act, which is why there are so few American-based online casino in comparison to those based off-shore in the Caribbean, or in the United Kingdom.
So, while the Act might not have made online gambling illegal, it certainly has made it much more difficult for American-based gamblers to have a bet. However, there are still ways and there are still sites accepting US-based players, they just can’t fund their account using certain e-wallets.
So, if you want to play at an online casino, but are worried about the UIGEA, don’t be! You’re doing nothing illegal and these casinos will be more than happy for you to pay them a visit and play at their virtual tables:
- Go Casino
- Bodog Casino
- Millionaire Casino
- Slots Oasis
- Lucky Red Casino
- Rockbet Casino
- This Is Vegas Casino
- Rushmore Casino
- English Harbour Casino
- Cherry Red Casino
- VIP Slots Casino
So, even though the American Government doesn’t want you to gamble online, there are still lots and lots of ways for you to stick a virtual middle finger up at them.
Additional UIEGA Questions:
UIEGA Definition:
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) is Title VIII of the Safe Port Act of 2006. The Safe Port Act is an act covering the security of ports in the United States, to which an online gambling measure was introduced. The UIGEA was attached to the Port Security Act. The UIGEA prohibits the transfer of funds from American financial institutions to online gambling sites, excluding fantasy sports, online lotteries and horse racing. As a result of this, a lot of online casinos and poker rooms stopped accepting players and accounts from the United States.
Although this Act stops financial institutions from funding accounts, it does not make online gambling illegal. There are still ways and there are still sites accepting US-based players, they just can’t fund their account using certain e-wallets. There are several ways around this include VISA and MasterCard, ePassporte and Prepaid Debit cards.
Sites that are American friendly include PokerStars, Bodog Poker and Full Tilt Poker.
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