The National Governor’s Association has sent a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions basically telling him to leave decisions on online gaming to the states.
Sessions, in his confirmation hearings, said he might be willing to reassess a 2011 opinion from the Department of Justice that allowed online gambling in individual states.
The governor’s group—which is vice-chaired by Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval, one of three states to allow online gambling—strongly urged Sessions to stay out of a state matter.
“The nation’s governors are concerned with legislative or administrative actions that would ban online Internet gaming and Internet lottery sales,” the letter said. “The regulation of gaming has historically been addressed by the states. While individual governors have different views about offering gaming—in a variety of forms—within their own states, we agree that 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.
As you review this issue, we encourage you to take note of the current regulatory mechanisms put in place by the states to ensure that consumers and children are protected, and that licensees comply with strict standards of conduct,” the letter said. “States are best equipped to regulate and enforce online gaming. A ban drives this activity offshore to unregulated jurisdictions, out of the reach of state and federal law enforcement and with risk to consumers.”
Sessions made his comments under questioning from Senator Lindsey Graham who has introduced the Restore America’s Wire Act, which would ban all online gambling in the country. The bill comes from Las Vegas Sands owner Sheldon Adelson, who has been personally backing a move to ban all online gambling.
However, many analysts feel that addressing online gambling would be very low on Sessions’ priority lists, especially as President Donald Trump—a former casino owner—has not significantly weighed in on the issue.
