Online Gambling Association Established in the US

iDEA – iDevelopment and Economic Association will represent the rights of online gambling companies.

It seems that the support for online gambling legalisation in the US is growing. US is one of the few countries of the developed world where many types of online gambling are restricted or even prohibited. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 certainly complicated things, although many feel that it might be unconstitutional, as it forces a federal ban on something that should be decided on a state level.

Many were wondering whether the administration of President Trump will have a more liberal, or a more restrictive attitude towards online gambling. Some felt that due to the friendship between Trump and Sheldon Adelson, the President might take a more restrictive approach, as Adelson is one of the strongest opponents of online gambling and he made many attempts to ban it altogether. Fortunately, it was reported earlier this year that the relationship between Trump and Adelson isn’t as sound as it used to be.

Multiple Companies Form iDEA

Many argue that land-based casino operators don’t have as many reasons to oppose online gambling as it has been suggested. In its newest document, which is a reflection on the SIGHT from 2002, Spectrum Gaming Group claims that land-based operators can be encouraged to embrace online gambling, especially if they are enabled to benefit from it, i.e. are first in line when the licences are issued.

Others have claimed that those who are in favour of online gambling legalisation aren’t as organised as the anti-online gambling lobby, and that they should unite, whether in a formal or a non-formal type of organisation. And finally, a group that aims to represent and promote online gambling in the US has been formed, it is called iDEA – iDevelopment and Economic Association. The group will stand for the interest of all companies and organisation that have an interest in the iGaming industry.

So far more than 20 companies that participate in the industry, such payment processing companies and casino operators are members of iDEA, including Amaya, Golden Nugget, GVC, IGT, Resorts, Paddy Power Betfair and NYX.

iDEA is in favour of legalisation of all types on online gaming including online casinos, bookmakers, but also lotteries, bingo and poker sites.

New Jersey as a Role Model

The first document that iDEA published is a white paper that presents the economic benefits from the online gambling legalisation in New Jersey. It is argued that New Jersey should be seen as a positive example and that the success of the industry in this state can be reproduced at a national level.

Online gambling was introduced in NJ as an attempt to help the Atlantic City casino industry which has been in a decline. Now online gambling creates over $20 per month and the state collects a lot of money in tax revenues.

Furthermore, the online industry in Jersey has created 3,374 jobs and over $215m in wages has been paid out to them. The state and the local governments have received almost $125m in tax. The paper also states that NJ has one of the strictest online gambling regulations in the world and they guarantee that players will be protected.