Prime Table Games Active In Run-Up To Gambling Hearings

In an expensive, full page statement in the global edition of the respected Wall Street Journal and timed to precede Wednesday's Congressional hearings on Internet gambling and the implications of the problematical Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), a land casino supplier has come out strongly against the online industry.
Derek Webb, founder of Las Vegas-based Prime Table Games, which placed the advert, has featured in previous in anti-online gambling attacks. The current article, headlined “Who Will Face the Issues,” outlines the perceived regulatory problems associated with international Internet gaming, citing gaming fraud, consumer protection and protection of intellectual property rights as major concerns.

“Everyone knows that there are off-shore based Internet gaming operators who are engaged in deceptive practices with American consumers and international players, and there is no adequate system in place to ensure full and appropriate regulation. Congress needs to take action soon, or these practices will only get worse,” the statement asserts.

“We urge Congress,” says Prime Table Games, “to adopt specific regulatory strategies for online gambling consumer protection, including:
o Placing limitations on solicitations and incentives to gamble, such as bonuses and cash back.
o Prohibiting affiliate relationships.
o Developing standard player verification procedures.
o Ensuring that site operators assume responsibility for identity verification.
o Ensuring that internet gambling sites be required to verify that players can afford to gamble at their chosen level.
o Ensuring that Internet gambling debts are not made legally recoverable, and players who don't pay gambling debts should automatically be placed on an exclusion list.
o Giving players the ability to self-exclude and have it automatically apply to all online gambling sites.
In a supporting press release Webb said, “Internet gaming, by its very nature, has great potential for abuse. Site operators also should contribute towards problem gambling treatment and research.”

The House Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade and Technology will meet on Wednesday to discuss the much criticized UIGEA regulations and the proposal.

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