UK Gambling Firms Spend Millions to Shape U.S. Legislation

While no one wants to see the U.S. government reverse the country's online gambling ban more than American gamblers and online gambling firms, gaming firms in the rest of the world also have a vested interest in the lucrative U.S. internet gaming market, including many based in Britain.

According to recent reports, many large British companies are currently investing millions of pounds in the lobbying of American politicians with the aim of helping convince them to vote to change the draconian anti-online gambling legislation that has effectively made it illegal for Americans to gamble online.

Not only is the current legislation preventing American online gambling fans from choosing to gamble online, but has also made it impossible for U.S. and offshore-based online gambling firms - including those based in Great Britain - from competing for market share in the lucrative U.S. online gambling market.

One such UK company thought to be lobbying in the U.S. is UC Group, an online payment services group, which has reportedly spent £3.2 million over the past few years. In fact, many leading UK gambling firms have reportedly hired U.S. lobbying firms, including PartyGaming, Sportingbet and Pokerstars.

Before U.S. Congress passed UIGEA in October 2006, the vast majority of global online gambling revenues - reaching well into the billions of dollars - were generated from the U.S. So when the U.S. online gambling market became 'off-limits', many of the globe's largest gambling firm saw their revenues slump.