I have a problem that maybe some of you out in online bingo land can help me with.  It concerns the news that regulations backing the US’ infamous UIGEA law are now in place, almost a year after the law started wreaking havoc across our industry.

Over the last year I have documented some the unprecedented carnage caused by UIGEA which effectively stopped many non-US free online bingo operators from making an honest buck in the US market.  Now we are told that the ‘regulations’ governing that law are only just now coming into effect.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but this unregulated UIGEA thing has already caused much grief and financial loss with some industry players having already been threatened with jail due to its dictates.  So, what gives?  Are we to believe that a law which has not even been backed up by discernable regulations has been allowed to do so much damage?

Maybe I’m missing something here and need a lesson in US legislative processes (no, scrape that! Nobody has ever learned how the US legislative process really works).  Or maybe I just need to accept that unreasonable and half-baked laws will be enforced whatever the regulations surrounding them.

All I know is that UIGEA was a near mortal wound to one of the world’s fastest growing and profitable industries and that many online bingo halls went to the wall over this.  Yet, here we find out that the US government has not even finalized this law in full before setting it on us and nearly destroying our industry.

Can anybody enlighten me as to how this can be?

Written by John Witherspoon – Interested in free online bingo? Our great online bingo portal gives all the info you need.

Well done to JackpotJoy in being named online bingo Operator of the Year at the recent eGaming Review Industry Awards.

Building on the success of its two previous years, the eGaming Awards strive to recognise the best businesses in the online gaming sector for 2007.  In picking one of Bingo Street’s top rated online bingo halls, it’s my humble opinion that they seem to be getting things right.

Scott Longley, editor of eGaming Review, says: “As with previous years, we think the quality of the candidates for the Awards on the short-lists points to the strength and depth of the industry as a whole.�
I couldn’t agree more – where else would you find the online bingo industry’s top online bingo operator but along Bingo Street?

Written by John Witherspoon – How about playing bingo online? The best free online bingo games are just one click away.

A disturbing development for European online bingo halls and operators of bingo online games is being reported on various online gambling sites regarding Norway’s online gambling policies.

It seems the Norwegian minister in charge of gambling may be planning a Norwegian-style version of the distasteful US Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA).

We all know in the online bingo community the negative effect this US law has had in our industry and the thought of a similar law being passed in this neck of the woods is depressing.  How depressing?  Such a law could be in effect by spring if the rumours are correct.

Needless to say, I’ll keep my eye on this story to see if it turns out to be true and let you know how it develops.

Written by John Witherspoon – Interested in free online bingo? Our great online bingo portal gives all the info you need.