US seeks dismissal of iMEGA case - Online Bingo News

US pro-online gambling pressure group, Interactive Media Entertainment and Gaming Association (iMEGA) and US Justice Department are heading for a volatile session in court due to an attempt by US authorities to dismiss an iMEGA court action.

Currently, iMEGA is seeking a restraining order against the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), which it claims is unsupported by relevant regulations.  Despite this, UIGEA has been used to prosecute a number of cases involving prohibited financial transactions by foreign-owned online gambling operators within the US market.

US authorities are filing for dismissal based on a claim that iMEGA has no standing and that its case lacks substance.

However, iMEGA says it has a right to pursue litigation in the interests of members which it represents.  The group claims membership by businesses and individuals involved in Internet interactive media, entertainment and gaming, including Internet gambling.  This could also involve people directly associated with the online bingo industry, though this has not been confirmed.

The lawsuit has implications for free online bingo operators seeking to re-enter the US online bingo hall market.  Should the iMEGA case be heard and prove successful, it could be a significant step in reversing the impact UIGEA has had on foreign online bingo games providers to operate in the US market.

Written by John Witherspoon - Play bingo online at http://www.mybingostreet.com/ and read our online bingo blog.