US States against Adelson online gambling ban

The National Conference of State Legislatures has joined the growing number of influential bodies challenging the Sheldon Adelson-funded attempts to federally ban online gambling in the United States through bills introduced recently by Sen. Lindsey Graham and Rep. Jason Chaffetz (see previous  reports).

The Washington DC publication The Hill reports that in a letter to federal lawmakers Thursday, the bipartisan group said the push would amount to the federal government usurping the role of the states to decide the legality of gambling online.

“States have proven that they are effective regulators of the gambling industry and the proponents of this legislation fail to make a case that we have been negligent in our responsibilities to the industry and consumers,” wrote Oregon state Sen. Bruce Starr, a Republican and the president of the NCSL .

He was supported by the body’s president elect, Democratic Party member and Nevada state Sen. Debbie Smith.

Referring to moves in Delaware, Nevada and New Jersey to legalise online gambling, the duo commented:

“This is the way it should work, each state making the decision that is best suited to the desires of its residents and not through a congressional mandate.”

Congressional lawmakers appear to be holding off on overt support for the Chaffetz and Graham bills – a week on from introduction there are still only 12 co-sponsors for the bills.

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