It was only a matter of time, from when the US Department of Justice closed down the largest online poker sites in the land of the free; until this action started affection other online gambling activities. Although UIGEA was enacted as far back as 2006, it only became completely in-force in 2010. Many online gambling sites have still been operating under what they have considered to be “grey” legal areas. This all seems to be changing now and sites which did not leave US shores in 2006 are starting to feel the effects of this law. In what was known as Black Friday – 15th April; the DOJ confiscated the domain names of Poker Stars, and Full Tilt as well as others and this action is already spilling over into online bingo.
The WorldBingo Network was the first online bingo network in the US. They were offering linked games across several sites when most UK sites were standalone and the UK bingo industry was only just hitting the net. Although there is no problem playing bingo, poker or any online casino games in the US; because of UIGEA there is problems with payment processing which allegedly transgress the Wire Act of 1961. It seems pointless somehow, offering bingo games if players can’t pay for games and be paid money if they win. Some online bingo sites have also already been closed down and had their domain names confiscated by the DOJ; many payment processors are being investigated.
While we have always advised that UK players should not play at US sites, there are more than enough running in the UK. This DOJ action simply reinforces our reasoning. The WorldBingo Network closed doors for business on Friday the 27th May citing “a challenging environment and circumstances beyond our control.” It is a sad day isn’t it, when a harmless game of bingo for money online, is considered to be a crime?
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