Today, the New York Times published a lengthy exposé on illegal gambling in America, with an emphasis on illegal online sports betting and the growing daily fantasy sports industry. The investigative report is consistent with the AGA’s message: illegal gambling is rampant in America, funds criminal activities, lacks integrity and fails to protect consumers. This stands in stark contrast to the licensed and regulated casino industry that Americans are embracing in growing numbers.
The AGA launched the “Stop Illegal Gambling – Play it Safe” initiative earlier this year to expose illegal gambling, highlight the regulatory benefits of casino gaming and build deeper partnerships with law enforcement. Today’s article affirms the benefits of this strategy and encourages greater discussion on the merits of a regulated sports betting marketplace, as has been proposed by the National Basketball Association.
With regard to daily fantasy sports, the AGA’s position is that more legal clarity is necessary. Today, daily fantasy sports operate in a “gray area” of the law according to many regulators. We believe that it needs to be black or white – either daily fantasy sports are legal and our highly-regulated casinos have the opportunity to participate in this marketplace if they so choose, or they are illegal and appropriate enforcement should take place. AGA will continue to advocate for greater clarity.
Thank you for your support and engagement as our industry tackles these important issues. As always, we welcome your thoughts.
