Most like working in the "grey area" and even the "dark area". That's the consensus from online gambling operators based mainly in Costa Rica, the hot spot for targeting the North American market. Costa Rica is the largest single domicile for such businesses in the world.

While European Internet gambling firms have been showing politicians with money through their lobbying efforts, Costa Rican operators continue to balk at the idea.

"Our business is better than ever," one Costa Rican operator laughed.

Barney Frank attempted this week, unsuccessfully, to push through a bill that would halt the effectiveness of a piece of online gambling prohibition called the Unlawful Internet Gaming and Enforcement Act. That law calls for banks to regulate the burgeoning billion dollar industry without specifying how to determine which are "good" Internet gaming transactions and which are "bad" one's. Some sectors, such as horse racing, were provided exemptions from the UIGEA.

Frank's bill was shot down Wednesday and will require the Congressman to start from scratch next year.

And though the UIGEA stipulates that a "black list" of "bad" operators must be developed for bank references, Barney's bill explicitly calls for a "white list" of "good" online gambling operators. His requires that no operator with a prior conviction can be licensed by the US Government. That all but eliminates approximately 10 percent of the Costa Rican businesses since most were started by "old school" bookmakers with rap sheets related primarily to their trade.

Instead, The Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association has gained the endorsement of most Costa Rican based betting firms. iMEGA is currently challenging the Constitutionality of the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act in a US Supreme Court. Part of the US Government's argument related to iMEGA's case is that none of the trade organization's members will be adversely affected by the UIGEA.

iMEGA's biggest blunder to date has been shelling out thousands of dollars to a high end public relations firm, Ogilvy, that has done little to educate the public about the well intentioned Internet freedom movement.

Case in point, the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative, which promotes Barney Frank and other pro-Internet gambling initiatives, is quick to send out releases within minutes of breaking news related to their cause.

iMEGA's smart moves have included working closely with the Costa Rican online gambling community, often ignored by the illicit industry elements, and assembling a strong legal support team which has helped push iMEGA's challenge into a Supreme Court.

Courtesy of Christopher Costigan, www.Gambling911.com Publisher

Contact Chris at CCostigan@CostiganMedia.com
 

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