The American federal election is heating up, and the debate over which party is best suited to govern the country is a tough one. Recently, the Republican Party released its platform, outlining its goals and promises to the American public. It also highlighted the party’s stance on online gambling, which will not go over well among casino operators and other industry professionals.According to a segment of the platform entitled "Renewing American Values," the Republican Party aims to undo all of the work that has been done to move the American gambling market forward. The party wants to ban all forms of online gambling in the United States, enacting a prohibition on the activity.
Distinctly stating that the Republican party wants to hold back the progress of the online gambling world, the document says:
“We support the prohibition of gambling over the Internet and call for the reversal of the Justice Department’s decision distorting the formerly accepted meaning of the Wire Act that could open the door to Internet betting”.
So, it seems that Mitt Romney and Company do not agree with the American Department of Justice’s proclamation that online gambling is not technically illegal in the country. As such, they would like to see the UIGEA upheld, restricting any online casino operator from offering their services to local residents.
The statement is not likely to go over well with the general public, especially those in support of online gambling liberalisation. The regulation of the market aims to protect players while
prohibiting the activity forces players to gamble at offshore websites. Banning online gambling simply encourages illegal activity whereas regulation would create a safe environment for American players.
Unfortunately, Republications do not see it this way. For the one step forward that the American gambling market has taken this year, the party aims to take two steps back.
