RGA steps back from U.S. regulation battle

The voice of the world's largest Internet gambling companies has decided not to lend its support to recent legislation to regulate online gaming in the U.S., reports eGaming Review. The Remote Gambling Association said it is reluctant to become heavily involved in the current lobbying effort.

The group's pass on the U.S. issue came after much discussion prior to Congressman Barney Frank's call for a Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act this week.

The RGA members were not interested in being drawn in to the effort, RGA CEO Clive Hawkswood told eGaming Review.

"Some companies have never been involved in the US. Others meanwhile have left the U.S. alone and are concentrating elsewhere. Some are worried about what their share price reaction would be," he said.

The RGA's membership list includes European-based powerhouses such as PartyGaming, SportingBet and William Hill. The organization acts as a single voice on behalf of the gambling firms to address international industry regulations.

Most likely, Hawkswood said, the result of lobbying efforts would be in favor of U.S. operators and that the RGA's involvement in the matter would likely be futile.

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