US Anti gambling bill signed into law

As expected by many, the US port security bill and its attachment regarding the anti-online gambling measure, was signed into US law by President George W. Bush at mid morning on Friday 13th October.
The passing of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act confirmed the sale or closure of US based operations announced by all the major gaming operator, and the company World Gaming collapsed into controlled administration due to its financial situation.

Empire Online terminated their operations in the US market to focus on developing new non-US operations, and same decision was taken by Playtech and Microgaming casinos. Michael Bolcerek from Poker Player's Alliance said: "Today is a dark day for the great American game of poker. Twenty-three million Americans will be denied the ability to enjoy this popular form of entertainment, even in the privacy of their own homes".

Excapsa Software sold to Malta-based Blast Off Limited their subsidiaries Game Theory Holdings and Excapsa Services. while Sportingbet, expected to lose more than Eur.450 million, announced their intention to sell Sportsbook.com.

This sort of "corporate terrorism", as defined by an online gambling operator, would drive the business underground, into illegal channels.