Just for once the British are not following the USA , in fact they are actually leading Americans to Britain ; well those who frequent online gaming sites that is.

When the US closed off all its online financial transactions to US citizens, many US online gaming companies either closed up or sold off their US interests.

The British have not been slow in recognizing that these US companies and their players could be a potential goldmine for the UK gaming industry and have been making significant inroads into forming a UK gaming offering that would appeal right across the pond.

Offshore gaming companies have been the only way out for many gaming sites who have wanted to keep some of their hard earned revenue rather than give it to the taxmen. This has been a real stumbling block for UK companies whose taxing system does little to incentivise investment.

But that could be all about to change.

According to the 2005 "gambling act" that will come into force 2007, internet betting companies will be able to operate from England .

A recent "Sunday Times" report states that England is interested in becoming a world leader concerning internet gambling and the UK government is considering issuing a bill that will remove the ban on companies operating internet betting in England , and granting law tax fees to internet gambling companies.

Bringing online poker and casino firms into Britain may prove difficult.

The industry has stipulated that anything more than a 2% tax on gross profits would be unacceptable. It has even been suggested that a system of "secondary" licensing, would give them the British regulatory "stamp of approval" whilst retaining the tax benefits of remaining offshore.

What does this mean for backgammon operators and players?

With the mist still not fully clear as to the clarification of backgammon as a gambling game the status quo prevails. However, backgammon has started to impact more in its own right now with the withdrawal of poker from the menu and offers a realistic alternative even for the hard nosed poker players who wish to exhibit their skills.

By bringing backgammon to the online table as the replacement to poker, the UK decision to allow online gambling in its jurisdiction offers backgammon even further possibilities for advancement.