The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006 has significant implications for payment processing in online gambling by creating stringent rules that prohibit banks and payment processors from facilitating transactions related to unlawful online gambling activities. This has led to increased scrutiny and ambiguity over what constitutes legal versus illegal gambling, limiting the options available to players and operators alike. As a result, many payment processors have become cautious, often refusing to process payments for online gambling sites, which has driven operators to explore alternative payment methods such as cryptocurrencies or e-wallets.