US congressman Barney Frank said that he would start pushing to lift the US ban on online gambling within the next few weeks, but warned that it was too early to make any definite moves to lift restrictions ruled illegal by the World Trade Organisation.

Frank called the law one of the stupidest things he had ever seen and went on to say: “I want to get it undone. I plan to file legislation.”

“I think reconsideration among my colleagues is beginning,” Frank added. “It’s not far enough along yet so I wouldn’t move the bill, but I plan to introduce the bill and if (the) storm of public unhappiness is great enough, I will try to substantially revise that ban.”

EU court Scolds Norway on Ladbrokes Case

The European Free Trade Association court ruled that Norway could be in breach of European internal-market rules by blocking UK bookmaker Ladbrokes from setting up gambling operations.

The final decision will rest with an Oslo court, but EFTA’s decision, which ruled that the Norwegian government had completely denied private operators access to the market and therefore encroached upon the freedom to provide services, will help determine the outcome.

Ladbrokes asked Togel Singapore Oslo court to nullify rules giving Norwegian firms such as Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto a monopoly over lottery lotto games and sports betting, after being refused entry into the gambling market.

Norway said that domestic gambling companies use their money for socially beneficial purposes, but the court rejected that argument.

“The motive of financing benevolent or public-interest activities cannot in itself be regarded as an objective justification for restrictions on free movement,” the EFTA court said.

Cryptologic Moves Headquarters to Ireland

Online gambling software provider CryptoLogic has moved its corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland from its current location in Toronto, Canada and is expected to complete the change of address in early June.

The €77 million a year group will be incorporated in the channel island of Guernsey for tax purposes and are following the trend of many gambling companies by moving offshore.

The last stage is to secure approval from the Ontario superior court and the hearing is set to place this week.

Japan to Legalize Casino and Gambling

The Japanese government has announced its plans to legalize casino gambling next year and is currently drafting the legislation.

Seiko Noda of the ruling Liberal Democratic said that they hoped to pass the bill by the end of the next ordinary Diet session in June 2008.

The party is hoping that casinos will boost tourism, as it has in Macau, and increase tax revenues.