Is focus shifting to a crackdown on illegal online gambling operators in the US?
The writing has been on the wall for some time now – despite a couple of dozen political sponsors, there is little appetite in Congress for the Restoration of America's Wire Act, a Sheldon Adelson-inspired attempt to federally ban most forms of internet gambling.
This week Adelson lieutenant Andy Abboud provided further evidence of the waning popularity of RAWA, suggesting in a Gambling Compliance op-ed that the drive for a federal legislative ban is being superceded with a more palatable demand that the federal government crack down on illegal online gambling operators in the Unites States.
If true, this could encourage more US states to consider the intrastate legalisation of online gambling in one form or another, observers have already noted.
John Pappas, executive director of the Poker Players Alliance action group, summed up the feelings of many when he tweeted:
"Adelson/Sands rep claims they are "refocusing" away from RAWA to stop illegal offshore iGaming. Clear sign that iGaming ban is unpopular."
UPDATE: PPA directors subsequently observed in a series of tweets that poker fans should not let down their guard on the news that a RAWA 're-focus' is in play.
Vice President Rich Muny noted: "RAWA still exists, so this is no victory lap. We all need to keep up the pressure on lawmakers and ensure this does not end up sneaked in later on," whilst Executive Director John Pappas posted: "If Sands is serious about addressing the unregulated offshore market, they should join us in trying to replace it with a regulated U.S. market."
One PPA staff member was equally cautious, speculating: "Sands may be trying a head fake, so we will keep up our defensive intensity."
Online Casino News Courtesy of Infopowa
