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The push to legalize Internet gambling at the federal level seems to be losing steam as individual states jump head first into the fray.
The National Conference of State Legislatures has come out in opposition to the federal legalization of Internet poker, writing a letter addressed to both Democratic and Republican leaders in the House and Senate.
"The NCSL believes the federal government should respect the Justice Department ruling and would oppose any efforts by Congress to preempt state authority over Internet gaming," wrote Hawaii State Sen. Carol Fukunaga, and Alabama Rep. Greg Wren, the co-chairs of the NCSL Communications, Financial Services & Interstate Commerce Committee.
The US Justice Department made public its change of position as it relates to The Wire Act, applying such prohibition strictly to sports wagering. That decision opened the floodgates for individual states to begin pushing forward legislation allowing online poker and casino games. Some states are expected to form pacts much like that of the multi-state lottery system Powerball.
The DOJ’s new stance could not have been clearer after the US Attorney’s Office in Maryland this week indicted Bodog.com, citing its “illegal” sports betting operation aimed at US citizens since 2006 while making no mention of its poker network, the second largest targeting those in the States.
"We ask Congress to respect the sovereignty of states and to not consider any legislation that would overturn the Department of Justice's ruling or to consider any legislation that would regulate gambling at the federal level," the letter said.
"States have long been able to choose whether or not other forms of gambling should be legal and have been very successful in its regulation. We also ask that the federal government respect the rights of states that choose to prohibit Internet gaming."
- Chris Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
