Major Victory for Online Gambling:  Court Grants iMEGA Standing to Challenge Flawed Online Gaming Law

Ten years to the day 21 online gambling operators were indicted for violation of a 1962 Wire Act.  But in an ironic twist, the 10th year anniversary (which was actually officially yesterday) is being celebrated with great news.

As first reported by Gambling911.com at approximately 12:15 pm EST Thursday March 6, 2008, online gambling trade association iMEGA.org has been granted standing in its challenge against the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA).

“Granting iMEGA standing is a major victory any way you look at it,” said Eric M. Bernstein, Esq., attorney for iMEGA. “Judge Cooper’s ruling holds that, even with the passage of UIGEA, online gambling is only illegal in states where a statute specifically says it is.”

“iMEGA is very pleased that the Court recognized our standing and the weaknesses in UIGEA” said Joe Brennan Jr., the chairman of iMEGA. “Judge Cooper found that banks, credit card companies and other payment system instruments are exempt from criminal sanctions under UIGEA, significantly undercutting UIGEA’s enforcement mechanism. Her ruling echoes the growing consensus of opinion that UIGEA is a fundamentally flawed statute.”

“We believe Judge Cooper missed the opportunity to affirm Americans’ online privacy rights and we plan to appeal to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals,” continued Bernstein. “However, her honor’s decision significantly undercuts the federal government’s argument that UIGEA is a well-drafted, effective and enforceable  law.”

As one jubilant online gambling operator proclaimed "This is the best news we (the industry) has had in 10 years!"

The court ruling can be viewed in its entirety here

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Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher CCostigan@CostiganMedia.com

Originally published March 6, 2008 1:09 pm EST

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