The Department of Justice’s interpretation regarding the scope of the federal Wire Act validates the urgent need for federal legislation to curb what will now be a proliferation of domestic and foreign, unlicensed and unregulated gaming websites without consistent regulatory standards and safeguards against fraud, underage gambling and money laundering.

Federal legislation that protects states’ rights can establish uniform safeguards to protect U.S. consumers, keep children from gambling on the Internet, and provide the tools law enforcement needs to shut down illegal Internet gambling operators. Federal guidelines also would prevent fraud and money laundering, address problem gambling and ensure players aren’t being cheated. These federally-mandated protections are vital no matter the interpretation of the Wire Act, and they must be enacted in order to avoid a patchwork quilt of state and tribal rules and regulations that would prove confusing for customers and difficult for law enforcement to manage. 

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The AGA represents the commercial casino-entertainment industry by addressing federal legislative and regulatory issues.The association also serves as a clearinghouse for information, develops educational and advocacy programs and provides leadership on industry-related issues of public concern. To follow the AGA on Facebook, visit www.facebook.com/americangaming; for Twitter, go to www.twitter.com/AGAupdate.