As the regulation of intrastate Internet gambling spreads on a state-by-state basis, Rep. Pete King (R-NY) introduced legislation on June 6, 2013, the Internet Gambling Regulation, Enforcement, and Consumer Protection Act of 2013, which would create a uniform regulatory framework to control the activity and protect consumers. The new legislation would ensure Internet gambling is not governed by inconsistent state laws adopted since the Department of Justice’s opinion in December 2011 that the activity is not prohibited under federal law unless it involves sports.

 

Modeled after legislation approved by a 41-22 vote in the House Committee on Financial Services in July 2010, Rep. King’s bill would assign licensing and enforcement responsibility to a new Office of Internet Gambling Oversight within the Department of the Treasury. While state and tribal licensing bodies could apply directly to this office to receive accreditation to assist with the licensing process, the legislation respects the right of each state and tribe to determine whether to allow Internet gambling within their respective borders or to apply other restrictions on the activity.  Existing intrastate regimes would be recognized while state lotteries and the horse racing industry would also be treated equally.