With the current economic woe in the United States, don't you think regulated online gambling could spark the economy?

While the online gambling industry in the U.S. was handcuffed significantly when the Bush administration passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, there have been many calls to see it reversed—the UIGEA blocks online gambling payment methods.

And maybe a recent report from Reuters might add more fuel to the pro-online gambling fire.

"The United States could raise nearly $52 billion in revenue over the next decade by lifting [the UIGEA] and taxing the activity instead," said Reuters citing a study from PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Unlike in the past, there is reason for optimism when it comes to possible regulated online gambling in the United States:

-A new administration, led by U.S. president Barack Obama, has been sworn in and is looking to kick start the economy,

-it has been suggested that the European Commission could be preparing action against the U.S. for its online gambling stance,

-politician Barney Frank says he will propose legislation that seeks to do just that (reverse UIGEA) and

-of course, the American economy could use an infusion of cash.

"Gambling advocates hope the U.S. government's need for new revenue in the aftermath of huge bailout and stimulus packages will boost chances for Congress to replace the ban with new measures to regulate and tax online gambling," the Reuters report said.