iMEGA files for restraining order on UIGEA

Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association (iMEGA) has taken another step in its suit against the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act by asking for a restraining order against the enactment of the new law.

The UIGEA further restricts online gambling in the United States by making transactions between banks and online gambling sites illegal. The act was passed into law late in 2006.

In June iMEGA filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government to challenge the UIGEA.

As the next step in challenging the law, iMEGA's legal team filed a brief in the New Jersey U.S. 3rd District Court requesting a temporary restraining order against enforcement of the act.

"From iMEGA's standpoint, we did not want the defendants (U.S. Dept. of Justice, Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Reserve) to use the allowed 60 days in their summonses in order to stall and give themselves more time to promulgate the regulations for UIGEA," saisd Joe Brennan Jr., iMEGA founder.

According to an iMEGA release, the brief is necessary to have the court consider the issue of a temporary restraining order.

Its intent is to accelerate the time line for an initial hearing on the case in U.S. Circuit Court, and to force the defendants to respond to the organization's complaint and restraining order request.

"We're confident that this will expedite the Court's review of our TRO request and force the government to respond before their 60 days are up," Brennan said. "And, we are very confident about the merits of our request."

iMEGA, a new media entertainment group and gaming association, is challenging the UIGEA on the basis that it violates citizens' constitutional rights. Americans have the right to live how they want to and be free from the government imposing public morality in the privacy of one's home.

Edward Leyden, iMEGA president, said in a previous press release that the intent of the lawsuit is to encourage regulation and taxation of Internet gaming, rather than outright banning the industry.

courtesy of Sarah Polson

News Added: 12 July, 2007

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