The Unlawful Internet Gambling Act of 2006

The UIGEA, signed into law in 2006, prohibits any person engaged in the business of betting or wagering (as defined by the act) from knowingly accepting payments in connection with the participation of another person in unlawful internet gambling.  The Department of Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board have issued a joint final rule, Regulation GG, to implement this Act.  Banks are required to comply with this Act beginning December 1, 2009.

As defined by Regulation GG, unlawful internet gambling means to “place, receive or otherwise knowingly transmit a bet or wage by means which involves the use, at least in part, of the internet where such bet or wager is unlawful under any applicable Federal or State law in the State or Tribal lands in which the bet or wager is initiated, received or otherwise made”.

As a customer of First National Bank of Michigan you should be aware of the following:

• Restricted transactions are prohibited from being process through your account or banking relationship with us.
• If you engage in an Internet Gambling business we will not open or maintain a commercial account with us.