Gaming expert Richard Hauser claims that big land based casinos; MGM Mirage, Harrah's and others will try to use their brand power to overwhelm the smaller foreign-based online casinos. Big casino corporations are hurting with dropping profits are now looking for new sources of income as they await repeal of the UIGEA in the United States

The American Gaming Association, the leading advocate for the big Nevada and New Jersey casino operators is going through major changes in its approach to online gambling. Formerly a strict opponent, the American Gaming Association is now cautiously supporting a form of licensed and regulated Internet gaming in the USA.

Richard Hauser comments on the strong political connections of these companies, and says there is some expectation in the Internet casino world that the land casino operators will push legislators to adopt a licensing policy favoring them, using the pretext that they should be given special status as USA-based companies.

But tchful eye on USA legislation. The RGA will want the USA to honor its pledges to free trade in services, or else it may continue its grievance before the European Commission. The EC has completed an investigation into USA Internet Gaming policies, and may pursue the case to the World Trade Organization if protectionist measures are installed in new laws.

Still, Hauser warns online casinos already operating that, while the reopening of the USA market may bring many millions in new revenue, "big fish will be swimming in the pond now, looking for little fish to swallow whole. The change in law will present great opportunity, but also new dangers."