Lotto Directors Oppose Nationwide Web Gambling BanThree Prominent Lott Directors Pen Piece for C4COP |
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State lotteries want web poker to exist in the United States.
In a recent piece by Jeff Anderson, Director of the Idaho Lottery, Stephen Martino, Director of Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency, and Charles McIntyre, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Lottery, the state lotto directors addressed a proposed federal web gaming ban by Las Vegas casino owner Sheldon Adelson, who has pledged to spend vast sums on Capitol Hill.
Anderson, Martino and McIntyre said in their op-ed for the Coalition for Consumer and Online Protection (one of the primary organizations fighting Adelson’s efforts):
“We are united in our belief that this is not and should not be a federal ‘one size fits all’ decision. For Congress to pass a sweeping nationwide ban would be a devastating blow not only to lotteries but to everyone impacted by their contributions."
In Dec. 2011, the Department of Justice did a huge favor to state lotteries by saying that the decades-old Wire Act wouldn’t apply to intra-state online wagering. In other words, lotteries could sell tickets online. At least two states—Illinois and Minnesota—have the online option.
Adelson’s camp wants to overturn this interpretation given by the DOJ.
The directors added to their argument by writing that “in 2013 alone, the nation’s 44 state lotteries raised more than $20 billion for good causes. This means more teachers in the classroom, enhanced public services and more vibrant communities.”
It must be pointed out that there are indeed many critics of the lotto, who say that it preys upon the poor. That argument is not made against online poker, which is considered a game of skill.
The North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL), which represents 52 lottery organizations, has also weighed in against the Adelson legislation.
Just three states have legalized web gambling—Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware.
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