Anti-online gambling congressman to retire

Mention the name of Utah Representative Jason Chaffetz in most online gambling circles and you will probably be met with critical comments regarding his support for Sheldon Adelson’s so far unsuccessful Restoration of America’s Wire Act.

Chaffetz, a Republican politician and chair of the Congressional House Gaming Oversight Committee, has featured prominently in recent years as he attempted to kill off online gambling through usually clumsy and biased federal initiatives with scant regard for states’ rights.

The good news this week is that Chaffetz plans to retire at the end of the current legislative season and will not seek re-election in 2018. Chaffetz announced his intentions in a Facebook post this week, explaining:

“Since late 2003 I have been fully engaged with politics as a campaign manager, a chief of staff, a candidate and as a Member of Congress. I have long advocated public service should be for a limited time and not a lifetime or full career. Many of you have heard me advocate, ‘Get in, serve, and get out.’ After more than 1,500 nights away from my home, it is time. I may run again for public office, but not in 2018.”

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