US Online Gaming Association Established

February 05, 2011 | News Category: Gaming Law

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With some US states looking into their own legalization of online gambling, and with the future of online gambling in the United States still unclear, there are those online gambling companies that have taken it upon themselves to create the US Online Gaming Association.

Gaming associations can succeed in places that individuals, or individual companies, are unable to. At this time, the US Online Gaming Association initiative is being supported by well known companies such as Sportingbet and PKR. The new association is being headed up by Melanie Brenner, who was the head of the Poker Voters of America organization in the past.

While explaining the reason the new body has been set up, Brenner explained that essentially, the goals of the US Online Gaming Association will "advocate for the legislation and regulation of online gaming in the States."

She further explained why this kind of organization is necessary, saying: "With the failure of a federal solution to this issue, the opening of the lucrative US market will be through state capitols such as Tallahassee, Sacramento and Trenton. The work we have done through Poker Voters has uniquely positioned us to be the most effective voice in moving this issue."

Since the US Online Gaming Association (USOGA) is new, there are still new sponsors coming on board. At the launch meeting, there were more than twenty people representing different companies, may of the companies being leaders in their specific fields in the gaming industry. It is expected that the list of sponsors will still continue to grow larger.

Malcolm Graham, the Chief Executive of PKR has offered both technical and financial support to the organization. He said: "I think it is important (that) the industry, which will be supporting local operators from this side of the pond, has a collective voice and a consistent message."

Another online gaming organization has also recently been started in the United States, although those companies that are supporting it have not yet been identified. The AIIG (American Institute for iGaming) seems to be made up of a number of companies that had some involvement in the recent New Jersey online gaming legislation.

The AIIG is being led by Bill Pascrell, a top US lobbyist. Pacrell explained that the new organization includes payment processors, casino operators, and gaming companies. The organization is prepared to accept groups from other countries to join their ranks, but they have made it clear that those companies that have "US legacy issues" will not be able to join.

The main focus of the AIIG is the legalization of online gambling at a national level, and also on a state level. It may be that national legislation will come about after many states have legalized online gambling first.