Online gambling has long incited controversy. Although supported and enjoyed by many, the pastime is nonetheless banned in some US states, a scenario which has led representative Dina Titus of the Nevada District to argue for keeping online gambling legal in a recent appeal to the federal government.

Writing to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, the congresswoman urged that the 2011 Justice Department ruling was upheld – a ruling which argued that individual states could make their own decisions on internet gambling in line with the Fed Wire Act of 1961.

Giving each state the power to approve or ban the activity at its own discretion, the DOJ ruled that online gambling did not involve sporting events and therefore did not violate the aforementioned act.

Supporters and detractors

In the wake of the 2011 decision, a number of states legalised online gambling, allowing enterprises like the ones promoted by bonuscode.ca to operate within their bounds. Nevada, New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania were all quick to allow the activity, with many other states indicating a willingness to follow in their footsteps.

However, recent moves have been made by certain professionals to have this decision reversed. The focus of attention amongst a number of lawmakers and attorney generals, this has led to appeals to both the Department of Justice and the Trump administration to amend the act and ban online gambling throughout the entirety of the United States.

Despite this, the movement has so far failed to achieve its stated objective – and looks no nearer to doing so. Although many gambling companies have expressed their concerns pertaining to such efforts, the DOJ has not thus far taken any action, and the government looks unlikely to do so either, with Donald Trump having previously stated he had “no position” on internet gambling.

Support for licensed gambling

Working to achieve entirely opposite ends, Dina Titus has been vocal in putting forward her position on the matter. Pointing out the many benefits associated with licensed and regulated online gambling – from greater player protection to increased job opportunities and additional revenue from gaming taxes – she has suggested that to ban the activity will advantage the illegal gaming industry, but not the individuals the government is charged with protecting.

In a statement, Ms. Titus said: “In Las Vegas, we have seen that a regulated market is always better than an illegal one. Internet gambling will not go away with a reversal of Wire Act guidance; it will merely push more consumers into black markets.”

The congresswoman further pointed out that online casinos had already proven a force for good in New Jersey, where they helped to boost the revenue of casinos in Atlantic City during a time of great difficulty for the local gambling industry.

Although the Department of Justice is yet to confirm, one way or the other, whether either Titus’ letter or the calls for review to the Fed Wire Act have been heeded, it seems that this unlikely force for good is almost certainly here to stay.