RGA refused offer of involvement in US moves 27/04/2007

Jake Pollard

The Remote Gaming Association (RGA) has admitted that it refused to put its weight behind the moves this week to put forward legislation to regulate online gaming in the US.

The refusal came despite meetings and discussions taking place in the months running up to this week’s announcement by Congressman Barney Frank of his proposals for the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act of 2007 bill.

Clive Hawkswood, chief executive at the RGA, said the organisation and its members were not interested in becoming “heavily involved” in the recent lobbying effort.

He added: “That is for a mix of reasons. Some companies have never been involved in the US. Others meanwhile have left the US alone and are concentrating elsewhere. Some are worried about what their share price reaction would be.”

The RGA represents the majority of online operators in the UK.

Hawkswood was responding to accusations from sources close to the lobbying effort in the US that the RGA had failed to show any enthusiasm for this week’s moves.

“These guys have got to come to the table,” said the source. “There is a lot of upside here if they do.”

However, Hawkswood suggested the suspicion was that any regulation would effectively be in favour of US casino operators. He added: “Do we think our involvement could tip the scales? No. Look at it from the opposite angle. Did US involvement in the lobbying effort for the UK supercasino help at all? Or was it rather a hindrance?”

A spokesperson at Ladbrokes said of the consensus against getting involved: “It’s a question of priorities and resources. There is movement in Europe at the moment, with the EU behind us, so that is what we are concentrating on.”

Another spokesperson at a leading operator added: “There may come a time to step on the gas once again in the US – but that time is not now.”

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Posted: 27/04/2007