UK bookies toe the US government line
Will Sturgeon, Silicon.com
Silicon.com
May 09, 2003, 14:50 GMT
Tell us your opinion
The US government is pressurising bookies and credit card companies to block US citizens from gambling online, in an effort to save 'the American Family'
UK bookies are this week ruing a US decision to press on with attempts to stop Americans accessing overseas betting sites.
Most US states remain strongly anti-gambling and many Americans have to register with offshore services in order to place a wager. However, the government is now moving to block that activity -- claiming it has the interest of 'the American family' at heart.
The move will come as a major blow to online bookies for whom the US -- and its vast untapped population of would-be gamblers -- represents something of a promised land.
Ed Pownall, spokesman for online bookmaker Blue Square, said: "Obviously the US is holy grail territory for us, but we've never accepted US bets, which is a policy based on the fact that if in 10, 15 or 20 years' time they do start awarding licences to operate in the US they are very unlikely to grant a licence to anybody who flouted the ban at any point."
Critics of the plans claim the US government does not have the jurisdiction to stop what its citizens are doing while effectively 'overseas' -- providing they are acting within the laws of the country where the website is registered. But this point is something which legislators have neatly sidestepped.
"While [the US government] may not have the authority or the jurisdiction to enforce this ban, they do have the power to pressure credit card companies and payment companies into withdrawing all support for people trying to place bets online," said Pownall. "They have already won the battle with PayPal and cutting people off at this level can prove very effective.
"I think this is probably just bluster from the US government, but they do carry a great deal of power and I think in the long term it will serve us better to be seen to be toeing the line," he added.
Pownall believes the carrot of one day being allowed to trade in the US should be enough to keep most 'turf accountants' in line.
One bookie who accepted bets from the US until last year was William Hill. But Graham Sharpe a spokesman for the company suggested there is more to life than being 'big in America'.
"There is a lot of world out there," he said. "We have clients in some 200 countries of the world now and the number of new domestic clients betting via the internet is still increasing."
However, he refused to rule out a return to US waters should there be any change in legislation. "Just because we are not targeting US business at the moment does not mean we never will," he said.
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/business/0,39020645,2134495,00.htm
Will Sturgeon, Silicon.com
Silicon.com
May 09, 2003, 14:50 GMT
Tell us your opinion
The US government is pressurising bookies and credit card companies to block US citizens from gambling online, in an effort to save 'the American Family'
UK bookies are this week ruing a US decision to press on with attempts to stop Americans accessing overseas betting sites.
Most US states remain strongly anti-gambling and many Americans have to register with offshore services in order to place a wager. However, the government is now moving to block that activity -- claiming it has the interest of 'the American family' at heart.
The move will come as a major blow to online bookies for whom the US -- and its vast untapped population of would-be gamblers -- represents something of a promised land.
Ed Pownall, spokesman for online bookmaker Blue Square, said: "Obviously the US is holy grail territory for us, but we've never accepted US bets, which is a policy based on the fact that if in 10, 15 or 20 years' time they do start awarding licences to operate in the US they are very unlikely to grant a licence to anybody who flouted the ban at any point."
Critics of the plans claim the US government does not have the jurisdiction to stop what its citizens are doing while effectively 'overseas' -- providing they are acting within the laws of the country where the website is registered. But this point is something which legislators have neatly sidestepped.
"While [the US government] may not have the authority or the jurisdiction to enforce this ban, they do have the power to pressure credit card companies and payment companies into withdrawing all support for people trying to place bets online," said Pownall. "They have already won the battle with PayPal and cutting people off at this level can prove very effective.
"I think this is probably just bluster from the US government, but they do carry a great deal of power and I think in the long term it will serve us better to be seen to be toeing the line," he added.
Pownall believes the carrot of one day being allowed to trade in the US should be enough to keep most 'turf accountants' in line.
One bookie who accepted bets from the US until last year was William Hill. But Graham Sharpe a spokesman for the company suggested there is more to life than being 'big in America'.
"There is a lot of world out there," he said. "We have clients in some 200 countries of the world now and the number of new domestic clients betting via the internet is still increasing."
However, he refused to rule out a return to US waters should there be any change in legislation. "Just because we are not targeting US business at the moment does not mean we never will," he said.
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/business/0,39020645,2134495,00.htm
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Railbird:
I would like the government go after a bigger promblem which is 2nd hand smoke, I think 2nd hand smoke is a bigger threat to America than terrorism.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Not sure about terrorism, but it sure is more dangerous to the American family than online gambling.
I would like the government go after a bigger promblem which is 2nd hand smoke, I think 2nd hand smoke is a bigger threat to America than terrorism.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Not sure about terrorism, but it sure is more dangerous to the American family than online gambling.
if the u.s.govt wants to "protect"
the american family so much, why don't
they outlaw using credit cards in brick
and mortar casinos, where the cash adv.
fees are astronomical( something along
the line of $80 for a $500 advance).At
2am, when some people are tapped out, they
become desparate and will pay any fees to
"stay in action". This is just legal exploitation
of compulsive people.
the american family so much, why don't
they outlaw using credit cards in brick
and mortar casinos, where the cash adv.
fees are astronomical( something along
the line of $80 for a $500 advance).At
2am, when some people are tapped out, they
become desparate and will pay any fees to
"stay in action". This is just legal exploitation
of compulsive people.
The protect the family excuse is such bullshit.
I posted across the st a few months ago, abt how the state was now issuing lottery tix to correspond with the relase of The Incredible Hulk. Who exactly is the target market for that? I sent my rep a letter, he is strongly against gambling, quizzing him, how if so concerned about the kids, why is the state selling lotto tix targeting them.
Still awaiting his response.
I posted across the st a few months ago, abt how the state was now issuing lottery tix to correspond with the relase of The Incredible Hulk. Who exactly is the target market for that? I sent my rep a letter, he is strongly against gambling, quizzing him, how if so concerned about the kids, why is the state selling lotto tix targeting them.
Still awaiting his response.
To Protect the "American Family"? LOL
Where is the protection against Crack Draw? AKA Quik Draw in NY State?
Crack Draw can be found in the fawkin grocery stores here where the "American Family" shops with their kids!
Where is the US Government when it comes to these scumbag Indian Casinos popping up all over NY State?
The US Government is a MOTHER FAWKING JOKE!
Where is the protection against Crack Draw? AKA Quik Draw in NY State?
Crack Draw can be found in the fawkin grocery stores here where the "American Family" shops with their kids!
Where is the US Government when it comes to these scumbag Indian Casinos popping up all over NY State?
The US Government is a MOTHER FAWKING JOKE!
