Groups Request Online Gambling Halt

Special Report - June 11, 2012
Pro-family groups from 13 states, including the North Carolina Family Policy Council, sent a letter to U.S. House and Senate leaders last week, urging Congress to strengthen federal law to stop the expansion of online gambling at the state-level. The June 6 letter raises concerns about a 2011 opinion by the Department of Justice (DOJ) that said the 1961 Federal Wire Act, which has previously been interpreted to prohibit all forms of Internet gambling, only applies to online sports betting. Since then, a number of states, such as Illinois, have started offering lottery ticket sales online, and to “explore creating online casinos.” National pro-family groups sent a similar letter to Congress last month.

“Unilateral action by Attorney General Holder’s DOJ late last year on the Wire Act has unleashed actions by a growing number of revenue-hungry state governments to turn the Internet into the largest casino ever and welcoming into homes a greater social cost than any government can handle,” the letter states. It goes on to explain that the DOJ’s interpretation of the Wire Act is “undermining Congress’ clear intent” in passing the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, which prohibits online gambling. According to the letter, at least 10 states are currently considering legislation dealing with expanded Internet gambling, including Maryland, Hawaii and Illinois.

“We must protect our children and families from the destruction of safeguards Congress has previously established,” the letter concludes. “To combat the result of Attorney General Holder's Wire Act opinion, Congress must act to strengthen the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act to ensure its clear intent that the Internet not becomes a giant online casino is preserved.”

The letter is signed by leaders from Family Policy Councils in Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

Related resources:
Groups Object to Internet Gambling - July 22, 2010
No Gambling at Home - March 15, 2010
Congress Bans Internet Gambling - October 2, 2006

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