One frequent argument made in favor of legalizing iGaming throughout the United States is that it brings the activity into a regulated environment. Moreover, US players would no longer have to play on grey-market sites that have few regulations or restrictions.
The Fraternal Order of the Police (FOP) recently backed up this argument through a letter sent to Congress. The letter urges Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, soon-to-be Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and others to “heed the law enforcement community” regarding any attempts to ban iGaming on a federal level. Below you can read one excerpt from the letter, which highlights the FOP’s main problem with banning online gaming:
“Congress cannot ban its way out of this problem as this would simply drive online gaming further and further underground and put more and more people at risk. Internet gaming forced into the shadows would exacerbate current difficulties and create new dangers. Not only does the black market for Internet gaming include no consumer protections, it also operates entirely offshore with unlicensed operators, drastically increasing the threat of identity theft, fraud or other criminals acts. There is also evidence that these gaming sites launder money for organized crime and help to finance terrorist networks. We know that these overseas gaming sites process billions of dollars every year, creating a breeding ground for transnational criminal organizations.“
PPA President John Pappas responds to FOP letter
John Pappas, head of the Poker Players Alliance, was no doubt pleased with the FOP’s plea to Congress. Pappas has long advocated that the federal government either needs to step in and regulate online poker and casino games, or let the states do so without hindrance. And in response to the FOP’s letter, he echoed sentiments that a ban would only drive iGaming underground:
“The Fraternal Order of Police’s letter clearly demonstrates to Congress that a licensed and regulated online poker market is undoubtedly more effective than prohibition as a means to protect consumers from fraud, identity theft or criminal activity. A federal ban would only serve to drive online poker and other forms of online gambling underground where law enforcement has no authority to protect consumers from corruption.”
Another major group points out the problems of a ban
Despite Sheldon Adelson’s Restoration of America’s Wire Act (RAWA) failing to get any attention during Congress’ November Lame Duck session, the Las Vegas Sands Chairman won’t abandon his mission to ban iGaming. However, a number of Congressmen are against him, and now the FOP has stepped out and explained why banning online gaming is a bad idea.
This is definitely a good thing because the more groups that are against Adelson, the better. And as Pappas has said before, the billionaire casino magnate shouldn’t be underestimated in the fight to keep iGaming spreading throughout the US.