Microgaming and Playtech are two of the most widely used brands of casino software online, and it was a sad day indeed when these two behemoths were forced out of the industry by a draconian law that makes about as much sense as the Spanish Inquisition. And just like the Spanish Inquisition, no body expected the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act to take root and cause serious consequences.
Consequences were never the same, however, and the aforementioned pair of casino software were kicked out of the States, leaving the industry down, but not out.
In order for Microgaming and Playtech to return to the American market, a few things will have to happen. First and foremost, the UIGEA will have to be repealed, reworded, struck down, overruled, or, preferably, replaced. There is currently legislation in the works to accomplish just that, though it is unlikely to move all the way through the house due to the overwhelming amount of conservative Republicans that have taken seats from Democrats. Progress on the bill is unlikely to resume until next year on the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act.
Another thing that has to happen is that licenses be given out to online casinos. It is likely that a small handful of the Microgaming and PlayTech casinos would reach out into the United States in effort to bring about the legal operation of one or more of these casinos in the nation. Provided there are no exemptions from licensing due to past history, and even if there are, Microgaming should be safe from having to contend with such hassles.
Unfortunately, the future of Microgaming and Playtech in the United States is clouded in mystery. We have been monitoring the industry the best we can, but we cannot really come up with any definitive answer. What we can say is that you are not without online casino gaming, as RTG, Rival, Odds On / Vegas Technology, and Top Game are all still providing players in the United States with a chance to play some gays with real cash on the line.
