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MasterCard may have blocked US players from using their cards to make deposits at online casinos but they haven't given up the fight for online gambling. According to a recent report from Bloomberg, MasterCard has spent more than $840,000 lobbying the US federal government, a good chunk of which has been used to lobby for regulated online gambling.
The company is reported to be losing millions of dollars by blocking US residents from using their cards at online gambling websites. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act has given the company no choice but to accept their losses, so it only makes sense that they would invest in lobbying for a brighter tomorrow.
Despite their best efforts however, the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act has all but died in congress. Work towards passing the bill was continuously put off for other seemingly more important matters and by the time the Lame-Duck session arrived it was too late to move things along. It is unlikely that a Republican controlled house will allow for any progress towards passing the legislation so now it could be at least two years before the bill gets a fighting chance again.
It is unknown whether or not MasterCard will continue with efforts to lobby for regulated online gambling in the US but chances are they will do what they can, considering what's at stake.
As always, stay tuned to Casinofan for more news and updates.
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