The European Union’s legal department has launched a preliminary enquiry into the discriminatory measures approved by the USA, which infringe the rights of European companies offering their services to American customers.

The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) enacted by the United States in 2006 has forced numerous European Internet gambling companies to withdraw from the American market.

The Remote Gambling Association, representing members of the European online gaming community, has lodged a formal complaint with the European Union. It believes that the USA does not have the right to apply its gambling legislation in a selective manner to the detriment of foreign operators.

This law has also been attacked by various American associations, such as the Interactive Media Entertainment Gaming Association (iMEGA) – a vigorous defendant of free enterprise with regard to online gaming.