INTRODUCTION OF INTERNET GAMING REGULATION LEGISLATION IN THE U.S.
Statement by John K. FitzGerald, Chief
Executive of the Interactive Gaming Council (IGC)
May 6, 2009 - “The IGC and its’ members enthusiastically
endorse the legislation introduced by House Financial Services Committee
Chairman Barney Frank and Rep. Jim McDermott to license, regulate and tax
non-sports Internet gaming in the United States.We believe that licensing and regulation is the best way to protect
minors and problem gamblers, while respecting the rights of adults to select
their own entertainment choices.Today,
dozens of countries employ such regulatory systems, and it is time for the U.S. to do so as well.
“We also thank Chairman Frank for
taking an important step to address the flawed regulations that were finalized
pursuant to the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.We believe that there is a better way for the
U.S. to stop prohibited gambling, such as sports betting,
without the burdens this regulation will impose on financial institutions and
legal gaming operations.”
“Rep. McDermott’s legislation
recognizes that, against the backdrop of massive federal deficits, IGC represents an industry that is
asking to pay U.S. taxes; his legislation would
provide a stream of revenue that can fund important programs or reduce the
federal deficit.”
“We congratulate Chairman Frank
and Rep. McDermott on their leadership on these issues, and we look forward to
working with them as they move the United States toward a rational policy of
licensing and regulating Internet gaming.”
Contacts:
Keith Furlong, Deputy Director, | Phone: 1-732-687-0880
Interactive Gaming Council (IGC) Applauds Kentucky Court of Appeal Ruling Prohibiting the Seizure of Online Gaming Domain Names
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky January 20, 2009– The IGC applauds the Kentucky
Court of Appeals ruling today that prohibited the State of Kentucky’s seizure
of 141 domain names belonging to Internet gambling operators, many of whom are
members of the IGC.
“As a result of the
appeals process an informed and judicious decision has been made, which
confirms our original views on these proceedings. IGC members are pleased and
we stand committed to continuing our advocacy of a regulated online gaming
industry. The IGC strongly believes that
if policy makers want to protect children, individuals that suffer adverse
consequences of excessive gambling and the general public, the true and only
response is regulation,” stated John Kennedy FitzGerald, IGC Chief Executive
Officer.
FitzGerald went on to
say, “the IGC took a leadership role in advancing
these proceedings on behalf of internet businesses everywhere and our
organization is humbled by this decision and by the overwhelming support
received from internet businesses and free speech organizations everywhere and
we wish to thank them for their support throughout this process.”
The
appellate court ruling was welcome news to the strong coalition, including the
Poker Players Alliance, the ACLU of Kentucky and the Electronic Frontier
Foundation, all of whom argued that the original seizure of domain names was
inappropriate.
"This is a very
important decision for anyone doing business on the internet," said Jeff
Ifrah, counsel for the Interactive Gaming Council (IGC). "We hope this
will prevent misguided state officials from considering litigation against
on-line industries located outside of its state boundaries. While this
proceeding was ill conceived, the judicial process was permitted to properly
function for which we are grateful. The Court of Appeals has now corrected a
fundamental misunderstanding by the trial judge in this proceeding regarding
the nature of the internet and the legality of online gaming in Kentucky," Ifrah continued.
Contact: Keith Furlong, Deputy Director, Phone: 1-732-687-0880
Is Online Poker Legal?
By Dan Cypra for POKER NEWS DAILY
December 02, 2008 - CBS News program “60
Minutes,” which aired on Sunday night, claimed on multiple
occasions that online poker was illegal in the United States. Near the top of the show, correspondent
Steve Kroft narrated, “We should tell you that this $18 billion industry is
illegal in the U.S.” However, is that really the case?
Is online poker really illegal? Poker News Daily sat down with gambling law
expert Professor I. Nelson Rose to discuss
the legality of online poker.
Interestingly, Rose noted
that the producers of the popular Sunday night program called him in order to
ask his interpretation of whether online poker is legal. He told Poker News
Daily, “I thought I made it clear to them. You can’t say for sure that online
poker is illegal. There are too many variables. The show gave the false
impression that it’s a crime to play poker when in fact in probably half of the
states, you’re not committing any crime at all.
Online Casinos Needed by Congress, Says AGA President
Fahrenkopf asserts that there may be billions in revenue for the federal government through taxation of online casinos.
By Matt Miller Online Casino Advisory.com
November 16, 2008- The land casino industry is starting to examine
options regarding online casinos. Last week, the president of the American
Gaming Association offered his opinion that legalized online gambling is the
future in the United States.
Frank Fahrenkopf runs the organization responsible for representing the giant
casino operators. On the board of the AGA are such gambling executives as
Steve Wynn, Gary Loveman of Harrah's Entertainment, and Dan Lee of
Pinnacle. This group has extensively lobbied in the past to keep Internet
competition at bay by banning it.
But now, giant land casino resorts are next to impossible to finance, and
revenues are dropping as travel becomes too expensive for many gamblers. And a
new vision is taking place at the American Gaming Association.
Fahrenkopf sees the legalization and regulation of Internet gambling as key to
Congressional budgets. Fahrenkopf, who knows politics from his days as chairman
of the Republican Party during the Reagan Presidency, says in an interview with
the Reno Gazette, "...any Congressman or Senator who introduces a piece of
legislation that is going to cost something will also have to show how they are
going to pay for it, either by cutting spending in one place or raising taxes
in another. So we know under those circumstances, they will be looking around
at a place to get additional revenue."
Fahrenkopf asserts that there may be billions in revenue for the federal
government through taxation of online casinos. And it's clear through his
statements that some of his members are rethinking online gambling.
The net result is that a lobby dedicated to preventing any incursions by
Internet casinos now may reverse itself, pressing for online gambling as best
for all concerned.
Regulating Internet Gambling Would Generate Billions in New Revenue for Critical Government Programs
WASHINGTON, /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ January 31, 2008 - A new tax revenue analysis announced by Representative Jim McDermott (D-WA) estimates that regulating Internet gambling would generate between $8.7 billion to $42.8 billion in federal revenues over its first ten years.
