Online gambling proponents weigh in on reintroduction of RAWA

The reintroduction of the Sheldon Adelson-backed Restoration of America’s Wire Act (RAWA) by Rep. Jason Chaffez Wednesday (see previous report) has elicited a flurry of response from pro-online gambling organisations including the Poker Players’ Alliance (PPA), Americans for Tax Reform and Campaign for Liberty.

Campaign for Liberty (C4L) President John Tate said in a statement: “Some in the GOP must think the American people are stupid. After successfully selling the American people on taking the United States in a new direction, members of the GOP think one of its first legislative priorities should be to limit economic freedom, impose top-down federal regulations, and expand the surveillance state.”

“This is not just an issue that should concern those who like to gamble, but all Americans who value state sovereignty, free markets, and a free and open Internet.”

The bill, if passed, would overturn a 2011 Department of Justice ruling on the Interstate Wire Act which allowed individual states to decide on whether to legalise online gambling or not.

The PPA in a statement questioned the motives behind the reintroduction of the bill saying it represents the worst kind of crony capitalism favouring a mega political campaign donor over what’s in the the best interests of the states and their consumers.

The bill has garnered the support of six co-sponsors who include Representatives Charlie Dent, Trent Franks and Steve King.