I was surprised by a comment by my dad on this issue, and he hates all forms of gambling and has nothing to do with the industry. He thought the reason everyone was bailing now, despite the fact that the law has not been passed and internet gambling remains legal in any case, in that it only targets US based financial institutions, was because it would create an instant shockwave amongst players, webmasters and related companies that would enable them to mobilise more effectively as a political force – this shockwave having been initiated by the major players.
It makes a lot of sense – a gradual drib drab of companies quitting one by one over the space of 270 days would have nowhere near the same effect on players, webmasters and politics.