“Proposed UIGEA Regulations: Burden without Benefit?” – April 2, 2008
Testimony before the House Committee on Financial Services (Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology) offered further evidence that the ban on Internet gambling won’t work.  Witnesses unanimously agreed that U.S. financial services companies would face serious regulatory burdens in attempting to enforce the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA), a law that has not stopped millions of Americans from continuing to gamble online.

Presented testimony:
• Louise L. Roseman, Director, Division of Reserve Bank Operations and Payment Systems, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
• Valerie Abend, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Critical Infrastructure Protection and Compliance Policy, U.S. Department of the Treasury 
• Harriet May, President and Chief Executive Officer, GECU of El Paso, Texas on behalf of the Credit Union National Association
• Wayne A. Abernathy, Executive Vice President, Financial Institutions Policy and Regulatory Affairs, American Bankers Association
• Leigh Williams, BITS President, The Financial Services Roundtable
• Ted Teruo Kitada, Senior Company Counsel, Legal Group, Wells Fargo & Co.

Additional links:
• Congressional hearing web page, link to web cast

“Establishing Consistent Enforcement Policies in the Context of Online Wagers” – November 14, 2007
Expert witnesses testified before Congress calling for the U.S. to reverse its policy prohibiting Internet gambling.  Witnesses before the House Committee on the Judiciary argued that the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) violates the American principles of personal freedom and individual liberty; that the ban violates U.S. treaty obligations with other countries; and that it exposes U.S. businesses to potential criminal retaliation overseas. 

Presented testimony in support of a change to U.S. Internet gambling policies:
• Shelley Berkley, U.S. House of Representatives, Nevada
• Joseph Weiler, Professor, New York University School of Law
• Annie Duke, Professional Poker Player
• Michael Colopy, Senior Vice President, Aristotle, Inc.

Prepared testimony in support of regulation:
• Jim McDermott, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington
• Jeffrey Sandman, Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative
• John Lyons, Group Security Advisor, UC Group (UK)
• Naotaka Matsukata, Ph.D., Senior Policy Advisor, Alston & Bird, LLP
• Craig Pouncey, Partner, Herbert Smith LLP (Brussels)

Additional links:
• Hearing overview and media coverage
• Congressional hearing web page, link to web cast


“Can Internet Gambling be Regulated to Protect Consumers and the Payment Systems?” – June 8, 2007
The House Committee on Financial Services held a hearing where top experts testified that regulated Internet gambling would protect consumers and ensure the integrity of Internet gambling financial transactions.

Presented testimony in support of regulation:
• Radley Balko, Senior Editor, Reason Magazine
• Jon Prideaux, Chief Executive, Asterion Payments
• Gerald Kitchen, Chief Executive Officer, SecureTrading, Ltd.
• Michael Colopy, Senior Vice President, Communications, Aristotle, Inc.

Prepared testimony in support of regulation:
• Keith Whyte, Executive Director, National Council on Problem Gambling
• Clive Hawkswood, Chief Executive, Remote Gambling Association
• Craig Pouncey, Partner, Herbert Smith, LLP
• Mark Holland, Partner, Baker Tilly
• Andrew Poole, Head of Online Services, GamCare
• Frank Catania, Catania & Associates, LLP
• Antigua Online Gaming Association
• Mary Williams, Chief Secretary, Isle of Man Government
• Andre Wilsenach, Chief Executive Office, Alderney Gambling Control Commission, Channel Islands

Additional links:
• Congressional hearing web page, link to web cast