Whether they support online gambling or not, the governors representing individual states want to make sure that the new US Attorney General doesn’t interfere in states’ rights to determine the future of their own online gambling industries. As such, the National Governors Association earlier this month a letter to the office of Attorney General Jeff Session, warning him about not passing federal laws that would ban online gambling nationwide.
The letter to AG Jeff Sessions read:
“The nation’s governors are concerned with legislative or administrative actions that would ban online Internet gaming and Internet lottery sales.
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. 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.
The nation’s governors stand ready to discuss this issue with you further.”
It seems that the state governors are most concerned about comments made earlier this year by Sessions regarding his opinions on internet gambling. In Sessions’ confirmation hearing, when asked by Senator Lindsay Graham about his opinion on the Department of Justice’s 2011 interpretation of the Wire Act, the AG replied: “I was shocked at the memorandum, I guess the enforcement memorandum, that the Department of Justice issued, with regard to the Wire Act, and criticized it. Apparently there is some justification or argument that can be made to support the Department of Justice’s position. But I did oppose it when it happened, and it seemed to me to be unusual…”
Sessions also confirmed that he would revisit the interpretation issued by the DOJ and would make a decision regarding the future of online gambling based on “careful study”.
