The Fraternal Order of Police have come out against a proposed federal ban on online gambling in a letter sent to Sens. Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell, and Reps. John Boehner and Nancy Pelosi.
“Congress cannot ban its way out of this problem as this would simply drive online gambling further and further underground and put more and more people at risk,” FOP National President Chuck Canterbury writes in the letter. “Internet gaming forced into the shadows would exacerbate current difficulties and create new dangers. Not only does the black market for internet gaming include no consumer protections, it also operates entirely offshore with unlicensed operators, drastically increasing the threat of identity theft, fraud or other criminal acts.”
Canterbury made similar arguments in an editorial published by The Hill in March.
The letter comes as rumors have circulated that the Restoration of America’s Wire Act could come before Congress during its lame duck session. The bill—pushed by billionaire Sheldon Adelson—would effectively ban online gambling nationwide including in the three states—New Jersey, Nevada and Delaware—where it is already legal.
That rumor has brought out a lot of opposition to the bill—most notably from former Congressman Ron Paul—and has led to charges that Republicans are giving into cronyism, as Adelson is a major GOP contributor.
Adelson, owner of the Sands Las Vegas, however, has said he has been financing the drive against online gambling to protect problem gamblers and stop underage gambling, both of which he feels can be better protected against in land-based casinos.
Still, a scheduled hearing on the bill planned for the House Judiciary Committee has been cancelled.
