Michael Jackson Casino Shows Need For US Online Gambling Law Fix

A new online casino popped up this past week and it had industry insiders scurrying to find details. Michaeljacksoncasino.com not only infringed on trademarks belonging to Michael Jackson's estate, but also came with no banking information, no software provider information, and no customer service.

The website owner, who has yet to be identified, and GoDaddy.com, the site that registered the casino, are being sued by the Howard Mann, who claims to own the copyright for the photos that were on display on the casino website. If the lawsuit proceeds, the owner of the casino would have to be identified.

In recent weeks, Representative Barney Frank has brought Internet gambling laws in the US to the forefront of discussion in Frank's House Financial Services Committee. Rep. Frank proposed legislation that would overturn the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006.

The UIGEA places the burden of slowing online gambling on financial institutions. Rep. Frank and other lawmakers believe that the millions of people in the US that partake in online gambling should be protected by the government, not criminalized.

Legislators in favor of new online gaming laws assert that gamblers of legal age should have the option to place bets over the Internet. These lawmakers also understand that gamblers must be protected against the current corruption that exists at Internet gaming sites that are unregulated.

It is not yet known whether Michaeljacksoncasino.com processed any transactions involving US bettors. What can be seen on the site was many pictures of the King of Pop himself, along with quotes from the late Jackson.

GoDaddy has already responded to the lawsuit, which they claim to have not yet seen. The company did say they would "vigorously" defend themselves if they were named in the suit. Reports have also surfaced, but not been confirmed, that the Michael Jackson site was an affiliate of sportsbetting.com.

August 3, 2010
Posted By Larry Rutherford
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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