Whether the possible move to accept US poker bets, in defiance of current US regulations, is born out of desperation or a move to reignite the ‘illegal’ blocking of online poker operations in the US remains to be seen , but news that Ladbrokes is considering such a move has not gone down well in the industry.
John O’Reilly, the managing director of Ladbrokes, has lit the blue touch paper at a time when many believe the softly softly approach may well be making progress with the US authorities. The move to ban online poker in the States has moved to a new level of late with European regulators in discussions about compensation from the US to those companies who have suffered most. Is Ladbrokes about to put the cat amongst the pigeons?
Many in the online gaming sector are dismayed that Ladbrokes is even considering taking on the might of the US authorities. However, if the move means a day in court to confirm whether or not the US ban is legal it may well have its plus points. Whether Ladbrokes goes ahead with its threat to accept US bets remains to be seen – or is it just a ploy to flush out the US regulator and get back around the discussion table?
Whether the possible move to accept US poker bets, in defiance of current US regulations, is born out of desperation or a move to reignite the ‘illegal’ blocking of online poker operations in the US remains to be seen , but news that Ladbrokes is considering such a move has not gone down well in the industry.