While some online casino sites and poker rooms are closing their doors to U.S. players following recent U.S. legislation that criminalizes operations who take real money bets over the internet, other sites, such as InterTops Poker Room are stepping up their presence in the U.S. online gambling sector. According to a statement issued by InterTops, internet betting is sanctioned by the World Trade Organization, and contrary to what some U.S. politicians are propagating, is a legal activity in several U.S. states.

No doubt fueled by the World Trade Organization's chiding of the U.S. for blatantly violating a WTO dispute ruling them to comply with trade sanctions with the Caribbean island of Antigua and Barbuda (where several online casinos and gaming sites, including InterTops, are legally licensed), InterTops is taking a strong, yet risky, stance in its opposition to the U.S. Deparment of Justice.

Since the passing of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, nothing has changed at InterTops, where sports betting services, poker tournaments and online casino gambling continues to go on as usual. InterTops has been in business for several years, and is well known throughout betting circles on the Web. Being a privately owned gaming site regulated in Canada as well as Antigua, InterTops has developed a good reputation of trust and respect. That being the case, management is expecting a surge of U.S. players who may be getting turned down to open accounts and place bets at other online casinos.

There is nothing to get in the way of players receiving their payments on time. In fact, the U.S. government has no way of interceding and shutting down InterTops, other than scouting out company executives who are responsible for running backend operations. (U.S. players should not worry for their own safety, as the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act does not persecute bettors themselves, but only those entities who accept payment for internet gaming services such as betting on sports or online casino games).