Online Gambling News

Date: 11/17/2008

Few saw it coming. For others, it was a jolt from the blue. In a surprising and sudden move, casino software giants Microgaming has announced that casinos powered by its software won’t accept US based players anymore. While this ban is definitely a big blow to the online casino industry, what could be the reason for Microgaming coming up with a blanket ban? Legal experts point out that the ban has something to do with the recent actions of Kentucky governor Steve Beshear and his seemingly loose interpretation of the Kentucky law.

In Kentucky, the state law lets its governor seize anything used in illegal gambling. In accordance with the law, here, governor Beshear had interpreted internet gambling as competition since money spent at an online casino usually ends up out of state. Subsequently, in a swift and unprecedented move of exertion of authority, with the help of Franklin Circuit Court, Beshear used this law to seize 141 internet gambling sites, the server criticism that came from all sides not withstanding. Fearing that they may be next in line for the Beshear assault, Microgaming had no choice but to play defensive. They first banned players from Kentucky, and subsequently all those who are US citizens, from gaming at their sites.

However, the new ban is applicable only for new players, and existing players with accounts at Microgaming powered internet casinos can keep their accounts as it was before. But, other casino software majors, RealTime Gaming and Rival Gaming are yet to impose a ban of US based players. Whether they’ll also follow suit, let’s wait and see. Here is a list of recommended online casino websites powered by RealTime and Rival Gaming software.

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