Despite the looming presence of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, some US based casino gaming companies are readying themselves for U.S. players searching to play online casino games. Dover Downs Hotel and Casino is the latest establishment to launch a gaming site, asserting it is legal because no money is being exchanged between the players and the casino.

Unbeknownst to many online gamblers, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act gives U.S. States the power to regulate online gambling if they so choose. This explains why the recent string of high-profile CEO arrests were done through state warrants - namely, Louisiana and New York. Although Delaware has not opted, nor given any signs they are considering opting to legalize and regulate internet casino gambling, Dover Downs Hotel and Casino is certainly optimistic that day will come.

The online gaming site, which is a sub-domain of Dover's main website, was launched earlier this month in response to the increased gambling options in nearby Pennsylvania. Chief Operating Officer of Dover Downs, Edward Sutor, said the games are an attempt to give gamblers incentive to play at Dover Downs Casino, rather than make the short trek to Pennsylvania. Sutor said the casino has already begun to lose players, and expects more losses in the future. All games and video lottery games are controlled by the Delaware Lottery.

With plans to release more online games in the future, Dover Downs Casino is certainly going all out. To access the free games, players need to become a member of Dover Down's Capital Club, which is essentially the casinos Player Rewards and Comp Program. If not already a member, the site allows players to pre-register (name, address, date of birth, email address), after which, free access to the games is granted. This will entitle players to a Capital Club card, which must be picked up in person at the casino. If joining Capital Club does not look tempting, players can gamble as a guest.

It is unknown whether the site allows players to accumulate real winnings and comp points. There have been similar land-based/online setups in the past in which players could deposit money at the casino itself, and then gamble from home using their player's card. Then, when the player wanted to cash out, they could simply go to the casino and do so. The loophole is that there is no actual exchange of funds online, thus not making it a violation of the UIGEA. Whether or not Dover Downs has or will venture into this realm remains to be seen.