Attorneys call for US Department of Justice to tackle illegal offshore gaming
They cited $4bn in lost tax revenue as a reason, among others, to crack down on the issue.
Key points:
– 50 attorneys have called on the US Department of Justice to crack down on illegal offshore gaming
– They wrote that these operators can have connections to criminal activity and put players at risk
A coalition of 50 attorneys has called for the US Department of Justice (DOJ) to tackle the threat of illegal offshore gaming.
The coalition wrote to Attorney General Pam Bondi, asking for enforcement against these operators to be given priority, as they operate outside of US law and without the required licensure. This also means they are not obligated to, and may not, provide necessary player safeguards, while also not paying state taxes.
The letter went on to outline illegal gaming’s association with money laundering, fraud and criminal activity, as well as the problem gaming risks associated. Indeed, the coalition suggested that such illegal gaming may have an annual volume exceeding $400bn, or $4bn in lost tax revenue.
The DOJ has thus been urged to pursue injunctive relief under the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act to block these sites, seize online assets of these operators and more.
The letter was co-sponsored by Attorneys General William Tong, Andrea Joy Campbell, Mike Hilgers and Derek Brown, with coalition members joining from over two dozen states.
The call comes following previous calls for the DOJ to crack down on illegal offshore operators. In May 2023, members of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission sent a letter to US Attorney General Merrick Garland, calling for better protection of US citizens against these operators.
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