We are getting closer and closer to a situation where America is surrounded on all sides by online gambling friendly jurisdictions and yet still won't let its own citizens participate.
Wait a minute. Did I say "getting"? We are already there. With online gambling being offered from Canada, the Caribbean, and now Mexico, America is surrounded by infidels.
Mexico, you say?
That's right. Welcome to Palmas Casino which is, as far as I know, the first legit and fully licensed online casino operating out of Mexico.
According to their website, Palmascasino.com is the "online casino division of the Emex Group, Mexico's leading operator of
fully licensed land-based casinos and sports betting. The group has
held a full Mexican Federal gaming license since 2002 and employs over
1,000 staff."
Too bad the site doesn't have a sportsbook yet.
Anyway, let's cut to the chase... will they be taking bets from Americans?
Well, their terms of use says...
3.4 Some legal jurisdictions have not addressed the legality of
online gambling and others have specifically made online gambling
illegal. We make no representation or warranty with respect to the
legality or otherwise of (1) the access to and use of the Online Casino
and/or the Website, and (2) the making of Deposits to the Online Casino
and receipt of any Winnings from it, under any Applicable Laws.
3.5 We do not intend for anyone to use the Online Casino and/or the
Website where such use is illegal. The availability of the Online
Casino and/or the Website does not constitute an offer or invitation by
us to use the Online Casino in any place in which such use is illegal.
Use of the Online Casino is forbidden wherever prohibited by any
Applicable Laws and any Winnings derived from such forbidden use will
be void.
3.6 You accept sole responsibility for determining whether your use of
the Online Casino is legal under any Applicable Laws. Please consult
legal counsel in the applicable jurisdiction if you have any doubts
about the legality of your access to and use of the Online Casino
and/or the Website, or the making of Deposits to the Online Casino and
receipt of any Winnings from it, under any Applicable Laws.
... and then says ...
4.2 This license does not apply to certain territories which are
identified in the following paragraph, of which YOU SHOULD NOT BE A
RESIDENT AND FROM WHICH YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ACCESS OR USE THE ONLINE
CASINO AND/OR THE WEBSITE AND/OR THE SOFTWARE, OR TO MAKE ANY DEPOSIT
OR RECEIVE ANY WITHDRAWAL.
This list may be changed by us from time to time and IT IS YOUR
DUTY TO CONSULT AND CHECK REGULARLY THIS END-USER AGREEMENT IN OUR
WEBSITE REGARDING ANY CHANGES TO THIS LIST.
THE EXCLUDED TERRITORIES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
AFGHANISTAN, ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA, BULGARIA, CHINA, CURACAO, CUBA,
CYPRUS, ESTONIA, HONG KONG, IRAN, IRAQ, ISRAEL, LIBYA, NETHERLANDS
ANTILLES, SUDAN, SYRIA, THE PHILIPPINES, TURKEY, USA AND ITS
TERRITORIES.
Which all kinda sounds like they are saying that it is up to you to decide whether you want to play there - but please don't tell them if you are American.
Don't ask, don't tell? Since I am not American, I can't see if they are actually blocking access from Americans or not.
But even if I was American, I would think twice about signing up anyway. From the way those terms of use are written, I'd be a little concerned that they could use the terms as an excuse not to pay out any winners who turned out to be Yankee gringos.
If you are American and try to sign up there, please write a comment and let us know if you get accepted or blocked