Golden Casino has been one of the leaders in online casino fun and innovation for the last 10 years, but their era is coming to an end. According to SlotsGeek.com, effective December 1, 2009 the casino will not be accepting any new customers from the United States. The online casino will continue to let existing members play on their site, regardless of where they are from, and will honor all winnings, so players who win tournaments will not have to worry about whether or not they will get paid. However, anyone from the US who wants to join the casino after December 1 will not be able to do so.

No reason was given for this change in policy, though there is speculation that it has something to do with the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). The US government has lately taken to seizing funds from banks that are part of an online gambling transaction, despite the fact that there is no federal ban on online gambling and it is only illegal in 4 of the 50 states. Unless it is delayed by Congress, which is the desire by some senators and representatives in both parties, UIGEA will take full effect on December 1.

This change comes as Golden Casino comes under new ownership. Other Vegas Technology online casinos should remain unchanged in regards to their policies with American customers. Members in the House and Senate are attempting to have UIGEA repealed for the second time since its passing in 2006, and many are more optimistic the second time around. Golden Casino shutting its doors to American customers shows that, if it is related to UIGEA at all, the casino is not quite so optimistic.

Tags: Golden Casino, Online Casino, online gambling, UIGEA, Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act