AGA Board Decision on Internet Gambling

The board of directors of the American Gaming Association (AGA), at a board meeting yesterday, held a lengthy discussion on the subject of Internet gaming. While the board maintains its view that gaming is primarily a state regulatory matter, the consensus of the board is that appropriate regulatory and law enforcement oversight does not presently exist with regard to Internet gaming to properly protect the integrity of the games, the security and legality of financial transactions, and against the potentially harmful effects of underage and pathological gambling.

The AGA will evaluate specific pieces of Internet legislation on a case-by-case basis as they are introduced in Congress and state legislatures. Such legislation must not create competitive advantages or disadvantages between and among commercial casinos, Native American casinos, state lotteries and pari-mutuel wagering operations.