Recent global economic developments have forced the US government to rethink many of its policies. At present the US economy is in chaos and the US has lost over a quarter of a million jobs so far this year. Despite the massive $700 billion dollar bailout and other measures the economic slump continues.

One would hardly think that online bingo or gaming have any effect on the economy but think again. Because of the economy both Federal and State governments are going to be on the lookout for new sources of revenue. Since its introduction decades ago bingo has been an effective fundraising tool for churches, veterans, and charitable organizations. Bingo is easily one of the most popular forms of gaming in the world and online bingo is no exception.

In 2006 the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act was passed in a late night session of congress. While the bill does not make online gaming illegal it criminalizes the transfer of funds related to online gaming. The banking industry opposes the legislation on the grounds that it is an unfunded government mandate. It has been estimated that this piece of legislation has cost the US government over a billion dollars a year in lost tax revenue. The national debt is at an all time high and congress will be looking for new sources of revenue.

Recently there has been legislation introduced that would regulate and tax the online gaming industry including online bingo. Given the state of the economy the US government is hardly in a position to turn down new sources of tax revenue. The new Obama administration is seen as more sympathetic to the regulation and taxation of online gaming. Mr. Obama has a reputation as a skilled poker player and has expressed the wish to host a game in the White House.

The current Bush administration is expected to sign legislation implementing UIGEA regulations before January 19^th the day before the administration leaves office. It has been suggested that the regulations could be easily overturned by the incoming Obama administration by using a Clinton-era piece of legislation, the Congressional Review Act (CRA) of 1996.

Right now the US government is in no position to turn down revenue of any kind. The economy could easily force congress to overturn the unpopular UIGEA. Online bingo players could play their favorite game to their heart’s content without the fear of online bingo being criminalized-and the government would make lots of money at the same time!