UNITED STATES – As reported by the Financial Times: "US lawmakers may introduce a bill calling for broad study of online gambling if Congress again fails to pass an outright ban on internet betting.
"Such a move could be a step in legitimising the nascent industry, which relies on the US market even though internet gambling is viewed as illegal by the US administration.
"Investor interest in the high-margin business is keen ahead of planned flotations of internet companies such as PartyGaming.com on the London Stock Exchange, which would be valued at nearly £6bn (€9bn, $11billion). But there are many cross-border trade and political issues that threaten to hamper the industry.
"The US is the $12bn (€10bn, £7bn) industry's largest market, although the US Justice Department says it is illegal for online companies to take bets from US consumers. But US punters can still place bets because online operators use computer servers based offshore.
"Over the past decade US legislators have tried and failed to pass a law that explicitly bans internet gambling. The House of Representatives has twice passed the bill, which later died in the Senate. Lawmakers are now drafting another bill and, if it again fails to pass, legislation may surface that proposes a study of the industry.
"…Matters are further complicated by a World Trade Organisation ruling this spring on a US appeal against a complaint filed by Antigua and Barbuda. The Caribbean island-state said the US crackdown stifled its online gaming business and violated international trade rules…"
