The American Gaming Association (AGA) believes that the United States’ laws are strong if courts enforce them fully. It recently wrote a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) urging it to strengthen the enforcement of gambling laws in the country.
The letter asks the DOJ to be stricter when enforcing current federal gambling laws. The association also made a few suggestions on different places that need a new enforcement level. They include brands that many Americans know.
More Details About the AGA’s Letter
The AGA urged U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland last Thursday to deliberate on illegal gambling. Its letter cited several concerns about economic threats and consumer safety that illegal gaming poses. Also, it states that illegal betting adversely affects legal gaming establishments.
Bill Miller, AGA CEO and President, wrote that the way in which illegal gambling occurs in communities and online platforms elevates the practice to a letter that needs federal attention as it isn’t new. He urges the DOJ to focus on acting on illegal gambling to protect bettors by enforcing federal regulations.
The AGA calls on the Justice Department to enlighten citizens on various legal gambling options. It highlights skill-based machines as a major problem and identifies several offshore betting websites. Even so, it is uncertain how Garland will adhere to the association’s wishes.
How the Wire Act Litigation Will Change Gaming Laws Approach
The DOJ is involved in litigation about what the country’s legal gambling constitutes, and it is trying to interpret the Federal Wire Act of 1961 in a different way. Congress passed the Wire Act, and it aimed to form a tool that will curb organized crime. This will be possible once the federal government disrupts such activities’ funding.
President John F. Kennedy and Congress didn’t anticipate the Internet to transform the country’s gaming industry as it is today. Various legal books currently highlight how the law relates to online gaming in a federal court.
The Justice Department stressed in last month’s filing that it doesn’t intend to prosecute any firm that is currently providing online poker and online casino. Instead, it suggested that it will give individual states the mandate to control gambling.
There Are Several Ongoing Illegal Gaming Busts
The DOJ isn’t sitting idle as it has busted several unlicensed gambling operations of late. Some busts have been on news headlines, including professional athletes who participated in illegal sports betting in California. The “Uncle Mick” bust, including Case Urlacher, is also popular.
Brent Waltz, a former Indiana senator’s associate, is facing charges of illegally using betting revenue to offer campaign donation refunds. These examples involve U.S. citizens whose behavior has violated existing gambling laws, such as managing illegal bookies.
Can the DOJ Close Offshore Betting Platforms?
The AGA mentioned BetOnline, MyBookie, and Bovada in its letter stating that they are contravening state and federal laws. Yet, it is uncertain whether federal agents will follow the AGA’s approach.
Even so, the gaming association is skeptical about the DOJ’s jurisdiction over offshore bookies. It cannot compel other governments to follow U.S. laws.
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