For some time now, many different groups within the United States have been battling the Internet gambling ban imposed by the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act).¬† A number of other countries have also tried to convince the United States to change their policies towards online gambling.¬† The European Union, one of the US’s trading partners has suffered from the online gambling ban.

The EU has publicly stated that the US is breaking international trade agreements by enforcing the gambling ban brought about by the UIGEA.  EU leaders have gone so far as to say that they could take their case to the World Trade Organization, where they could insist on compensation for the unfair trade practices by the United States.  The EU would, however, prefer to settle the dispute in a more amicable way.

Both the EU and interested parties within the US had expected that the Obama administration would have brought about the desired changes.  Although President Obama has said that he needs to improve foreign relations, the issue of online gambling has not moved forward.  At this time, it is unclear whether non-US gambling operators will be allowed to return to the US when, and if, the laws change.

At the same time that the EU has taken a hard line with the US regarding their online gambling laws, they have also been dealing with other countries, such as France, in connection with the same issues.  Because of the pressure from the EU, France is in the process of adjusting their policies regarding foreign online casinos operating in their country.