Predicted by many as being the day when Bush signs the recent bill, thereby confirming the 'Unlawful Gambling Enforcement Act' as law, Wednesday has been a relatively quiet day, with the results of 'Black Friday' still waiting to be finalised.
With some online companies taking immediate action (the most notable being William Hill and 888 Holdings), many of the big guns appear to be biding their time, waiting to see how the upcoming days pan out before making any final decisions.
According to many, it appears to be a dead cert that Bush will sign the bill before the November elections, thereby preventing the US from playing online poker. Although the actual act of playing won't be deemed illegal, it will be unlawful for banks to allow any financial transactions to occur between player and online site. If this illegal act were to be identified then, according to new law, the transferal of monies will be subsequently denied.
My personal opinion is one of outrage. As an outsider, I just can't understand how a country who continually promote their supposed freedoms can prevent someone from playing a $5 Sit and Go. Online poker is an industry that could be taxed and regulated to both increase the security of the player, whilst also provided the government with extra income, so it makes little sense to brush this opportunity aside. As others have mentioned, I can only assume that they are concerned with the revenues of the live casino, an industry in which they clearly have fingers in pies.
If this bill is to become law, let's just hope that appeals are successfully made and the legislation, which is sure to create a nasty underground poker world, is rightfully overturned.
I tend to avoid subjectivity in news items, but on this occasion, I feel I must say that from where I'm standing, it is a gross invasion of the publics' freedoms.