Recently, the online gambling market for international operators has been opened up in France. This is to adhere to the free trade requirements of the European Union. But in order for these operators to begin their online casino gambling business in the country, the new online gambling law of France requires them to obtain an additional French gaming license dictating constraints which are regarded as "excessive" and "draconian".

With regards to the law, there are over 35 online casino operators that resolved to apply for the licenses to operate in the country while many other companies do not take the chance. And also due to this law that there are many others which completely withdraw from the French online casino gambling market.

Last June 9, the full list of the online gambling companies who are given the license to operate in the French market was released to the public. This includes:

• BetClic
• Beturf
• BES SAS
• Bwin/Amaury Groupe
• EverestPoker
• France Pari
• La Française des Jeux
• Iliad Gaming/ChiliGaming
• Pari Mutuel Urbain
• SPS Betting
• Table 14

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It wasn't long ago since MasterCard announced that they are going to block Americans from making transactions to online casino sites (See MasterCard Cuts Off Online Casino Payments In US). Now, MasterCards biggest opponent VISA follows and block their Canadian customers as well. That both the credit card giants VISA and MasterCard have decided to block Canadians from making transactions to online casino is a clear sign that UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) will soon come into effect in June 1, 2010.

Canada seemed to be untouched by the block, but it has recently come to our attention that similar hindrances are taking place here. When you are going to enter your VISA account number into online casino, the error message indicated that the financial institution by which the card was issued would not allow the transaction to take place. We are uncertain whether the block was caused by VISA or the bank, but one thing was clear: we were unable to fund our online casino account. Considering the fact that Canadian Visa is usually governed by US regulations so it is very probable that most of us are blocked with that payment option as well.

Most people have pointed to the fact that both companies are probably getting prepared for the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) to come into effect. If this legislation and that getting fully enforced, activity at online casino will be considered illegal within the United States and Canada and these credit card companies want to distance themselves from any illegal activity.

If you encounter this situation, it may be frustrating but there are very simple solutions to this problem. It may seems as though the next available option would be an e-wallet, however these systems take quite some time to authenticate. So, the quickest option is to register for an online credit/debit card.

Companies like VISA Electron allow players to make payments online through a web-based card. Because the card has no attachment to a financial institution, banks are not able to intercept payments to online casino. Transfers are instant and secure, as players are never required to give out their own personal bank account or credit card information.

The registration process is quick and easy. The VISA Electron took less than 10 minutes. Within 15 minutes, your online casino account was funded and we were ready to play!

Massachusett's latest gaming proposal has hidden deep within it a clause that would place online casino players and online poker patrons at risk of prison terms. The new bill to expand gambling in Massachusetts once again contains controversial clauses designed to make playing online poker illegal at online casino. House Speaker Robert DeLeo's attempt to fast-track thec 172-page measure includes glossing over a section which may startle voters intent on asserting rights to gamble freely, as the clause prescribes 2 years in prison for patrons of online casino.

House Speaker Robert DeLeo has released the bill while demanding an almost immediate legislative vote, after years of speculation about the proper route for gambling in the Bay State. Just a few years ago, a proposal by Governor Deval Patrick attempted to license 3 casinos while outlawing online casino play. Governor Deval Patrick is a longtime supporter of slots at the tracks including two in his district, Suffolk Downs and Wonderland Greyhound Park in Revere. In October, he said he would also support two or three casino resorts. He also seeks to license two stand-alone casinos, while also licensing race tracks to carry slots gaming. But, buried in the bill lies the section placing a fine of up to $25,000 on top of the potential prison sentence merely for being a customer of an online caisno sites.

On page 123 of the proposal, it states that "any person who knowingly transmits or receives a wager of any type by any telecommunication device, including telephone, cellular phone, Internet, local area network, including wireless local networks, or any other similar device or equipment or other medium of communication, or knowingly installs or maintains said device or equipment for the transmission or receipt of wagering information shall be punished by imprisonment in a jail or house of correction for not more than 2 years, or by a fine of not more than $25,000, or both such fine or imprisonment. "

Governor Deval Patrick is among many urging that the bill receive proper public hearing and debate, while House Speaker Robert DeLeo insistes that everything has already been said in past arguments and the vote should go forward. Washington is presently the only state that makes participation at online casinos a felony. While laws on operating online casino sites differ, most excuse patrons from jail terms.