US Should Legalize Internet Bingo

Posted on December 2nd, 2009

Internet bingo used to be a very popular diversion in the US until 2006 when the Bush administration, under pressure from right wing religious groups, passed the onerous Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. (UIGEA) The law sent the internet bingo industry, and the online gaming industry, into shock. Publicly traded gaming companies watched helplessly as their stocks plummeted. The act prohibited banks from processing transactions related to online gaming. Banks objected to the new unfunded responsibilities imposed on them by UIGEA.

Internet bingo players in the US suddenly found themselves blocked from accessing many internet bingo websites and many gaming websites located outside the United States blocked US players. Despite the law many bingo players in the US were abler to continue playing internet bingo but had to resort to exotic means to get around the law. Online payment services such as Neteller and PayPal were forced to block US related transactions and in an astounding act of hubris the US actually detained executives of Neteller for engaging in actions that were perfectly legal in their jurisdictions.

The election of Barack Obama caused optimism throughout the internet gaming world and the new president was seen as more sympathetic to internet gaming. Obama had long enjoyed a reputation as a skilled poker player. Unfortunately before the new administration could take any action to remedy the damages caused by UIGEA recession concerns and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan commanded the president’s full attention and internet gaming was low on the priority list.

Congressman Barney Frank has proposed legislation that would tax and regulate the internet gaming industry including internet bingo. Unfortunately this legislation is not seen as a high priority and it may be years before the situation is resolved. Internet bingo along with other forms of internet gaming could easily bring in billions in revenue for the United States which desperately needs the money. Hopefully in the near future US legislators will see fit to allow their citizens the freedom of choice enjoyed by UK and European internet bingo players.

Should the US do the right thing and legalize internet bingo the bingo industry is ready to compete for the new influx of players. Bingo sites are offering bigger and better bingo bonuses. Usually most sites will entice new players with a bingo sign up bonus followed by a bingo deposit bonus. Several bingo websites offer special games which require a bingo bonus code to play. Players who participate in these special promotional games are rewarded with extra bingo bonuses. The internet bingo industry is gearing up for the millions of new players from the US.