Republican Congressman Jason Chaffetz has revived an effort to ban online gaming in the US by reintroducing a bill that would outlaw most forms of internet gambling across the country.
The ‘Restoration of America’s Wire Act’ would reverse a 2011 decision by the Justice Department to allow states to regulate online gambling, with the exception of sports betting.
The bill, which is virtually identical to a version of the bill that was introduced last year by Senator Lindsey Graham, seeks to re-amend the 1961 Wire Act to include non-sporting events in prohibition.
This clause was removed in 2011 to allow states across the US to decide whether to regulate online gaming activities at their own discretion.
So far, only Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware have taken advantage of the amended bill, although a number of other states have been linked with regulation, including Washington and California.
Despite outlawing most forms of internet gambling, if approved, the bill would allow for activities linked to online horseracing and fantasy sports.
The proposed legislation is reportedly part of the effort by Sheldon Adelson and his Coalition to Stop Internet Gambling lobby group to reintroduce a near-blanket ban on such activities in the US.
However, various gambling experts in the country have already expressed doubts over the bill and its chances of being passed.
source : www.igamingbusiness.com
