As reported by iGaming Business, Senators Lindsay Graham and Jason Chaffetz are sponsoring new legislation to restore the US Wire Act in order to outlaw all forms of online gambling, with the exception of fantasy games and horseracing.
If the legislation were to be passed, it would reverse a 2011 decision by Attorney General Eric Holder that a 1961 law used to ban online gaming was only applicable to sports betting.
The NGA has now joined the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States, the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries, the Coalition for Consumer and Online Protection, and the National Conference of State Legislatures in backing calls to drop the legislation.
The NGA wrote to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Speaker of the House John Boehner, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to express its opposition to the bill.
The letter said: “The nation’s governors are concerned with legislation introduced in Congress that would ban online Internet gaming and Internet lottery sales because it challenges the federal-state relationship.
“The regulation of gaming is an issue that has historically been addressed by the states.
“Regardless of whether governors are in favor of offering gaming – through whatever form – within their own states, decisions at the federal level that affect state regulatory authority should not be made unilaterally without state input.
“A strong, cooperative relationship between the states and federal government is vital to best serve the interests of all citizens.”
source : www.igamingbusiness.com
