Influential New York Lawmaker Opposes RAWA Online Gambling Prohibition

Online gambling just got itself a powerful new ally in New York.  J. Gary Pretlow who chairs the Racing and Wagering Committee of the New York State Assembly. 

He just wrote a letter to the state’s congressional delegation expressing his opposition to a bill that would ban most forms of online gambling at both the federal and state level.

Restore Americas Wire Ace – better known as RAWA – was drafted by US Presidential candidate and South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham along with Utah Republican Congressman Jason Chaffetz.  The legislation is heavily influenced by casino magnate and GOP mega donor Sheldon Adelson.

Pretlow writes: “We ask that you work toward defeating this bill and the attempt to take away a power reserved for each of the states – the power to define its gambling laws.”

Pretlow wrote, “RAWA’s attempt at a federal prohibition of online gambling could directly and negatively impact New York by foreclosing the future potential of the New York lottery to use the Internet for sales. It will also preclude the legislature from new tax revenue and to create economic and employment opportunities.

“It would also prevent New York from pursuing the regulatory approach to Internet poker which has been under review by the legislature and which several states have already successfully implemented... 

“A prohibitionist approach perpetuates the black market and exposes children and others to gambling behind a curtain with no regulation or rules to protect consumers and the vulnerable.”

Pretlow argued that the federal proposal (H.R. 707) to ban Internet gaming “merits opposition for reasons that have nothing to do with gambling per se. The legislation is inimical to the broader interests of New York, which recognizes the benefits of the Internet for all businesses and industries in the state.”

- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com