50 states and territories send letter to AG Bondi urging DOJ action against illegal online sports betting operations
WV AG JB McCuskey joined a bipartisan multistate coalition of 50 attorneys general in urging the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to assist in addressing the rampant spread of illegal offshore gaming. The coalition stressed the need for action to combat harm to consumers, the rule of law, and the economy from an unprecedented growth in illicit online gambling.
Attorney General McCuskey and the coalition made the request to the DOJ in a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.
“I am especially concerned that children are typically targeted by illegal online gambling enterprises. This has been a priority since the beginning of my tenure as attorney general, and I’m proud that attorneys general from across the political spectrum have come together to fight back against this dangerous and growing issue,” Attorney General McCuskey said.
Illegal online sports betting and gaming operations are largely operated by foreign-based companies that routinely operate without proper licensure, offer limited or non-existent consumer protections, fail to effectively verify the age of users, ignore state boundaries, and evade tax obligations.
The coalition highlights the significant harm caused to states and residents by such unlawful platforms, particularly to young people, vulnerable adults, and state economies. Specifically, the coalition asserts that illegal gaming operations expose users to fraudulent schemes and encourage problem gambling without any oversight or accountability; undercut state-regulated markets; and have been linked to money laundering, human trafficking, and other illegal conduct.
The coalition urges the DOJ to assist and coordinate with states in deploying robust legal tools and enforcement actions against illegal offshore gaming operations, especially as such actions by the DOJ have been extremely limited since 2013.
West Virginia joined the letter co-led by the attorneys general of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Nebraska, and Utah. The coalition also included Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands, Washington and Wyoming.
The letter may be viewed here.
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