Congress Giving Terrible Internet Gambling Ban Another Spin

In 2014, members of Congress attempted to introduce legislation that would effectively ban internet gambling nationwide.  The good news was that these attempts failed miserably even with the support of powerful allies in Nevada. The bad news? Well, yesterday the legislation resurfaced on Capitol Hill and it is still as bad an idea as it was in 2014.

Steve Tetreault of the Las Vegas Journal Review reported on today’s developments regarding the Restoration of America’s Wire Act:

The measure by Rep. Jason Chaffetz would roll back a Department of Justice opinion made public in December 2011 that held the Wire Act of 1961, the law that prohibits transmitting wagers, applies only to sports and not to other forms of online gambling.

Internet gambling affects consumers, taxpayers, states’ rights, the economy, and Internet commerce. TPA is concerned that any move to restrict Internet gambling at the federal level would be a detriment to states who may want to allow online gambling.  There is also the real possibility that any action taken at the federal level on this issue could lay the groundwork for increased regulatory power by the federal government, specifically regulations targeting the Internet.

The same Nevada coalition of gambling companies that were pushing for legislation aiming to “fix” the 1961 law is back with what is essentially the same bill. The same carve-outs remain; meaning specific cases of special treatment to certain industry groups are included for that extra piece of crony favoritism that makes this extremely troubling legislation.

TPA reiterates the same concerns we have always had when it comes to any federal ban on internet gambling.

• This is an issue that should be left up to the states, let them decide
• This could lead to new and damaging regulations on the internet

Internet gambling is now back at the forefront as some in Congress are intent on making this ban a reality, which would be one of the worst examples of picking winners and losers. TPA will continue to support those interested in preserving the free market choices of consumers and preventing new regulations on the internet. This is an unwise and unnecessary federal power grab that stinks of cronyism.