According to The Financial Times, the online casino industry is in a powerful position for the next few years.  This is according to a few industry expert executives, who claim to base their optimism on tangible factors.  They point to the facts that many of the European countries have adopted open policies concerning online casinos, and that there has been an increase in broadband services throughout Europe.

For example, France has removed its governmental monopoly of online gambling and Italy has a more liberal policy toward Internet gambling.  On other fronts the industry has been making great strides.  In Denmark, Belgium and Sweden, online gambling dialogue has been more constructive, while the German states appear to have ended their disagreements over the anti-gambling treaty.

It is expected that online casinos will experience growth over the next few years because there will be a consolidation among online casino gambling operators in the industry.  However, with gambling in the United States still up in the air, the extent of the optimism needs to be taken with a dose of moderation.

The United States Senate is in the control of the Democratic Party, which just rammed through the Health Bill by the slightest of margins.  The Democrats are now in a position to take legislative action regarding the repeal of the Internet anti-gambling act of 2006.  The repeal, under the aegis of Representative Barney Frank of Massachusetts, has just picked up its sixty-third co-sponsor, Representative Anthony Weiner of New York. 

The online gambling issue has been in the bullpen as the Congress concentrated on the health bill over the past few months.  The repeal would nullify the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006, which was passed by a majority Republican Congress.  It made it illegal for financial institutions to process payments emanating from Internet gambling sites.  Representative Frank is trying to circumvent sanctions from the World Trade organization against the United States by repealing UIGEA.

Online casinos are also optimistic about their future because of the shift in gambling from land-based casinos to online casinos.  Land-based casinos have been hurt by the global recession, as well as by the smoking ban in many of those establishments.  Additionally, online casinos have experienced tremendous technological advancements, such as real time wagering, sports betting and mobile casino sites.  It is estimated that online casinos will realize a 10% increase in their gross revenues in each of the next three years, which is as good a reason as any to crack open a bottle of champagne.