Off-shore gambling poses a threat to the vibrant gambling hub of the Las Vegas Strip, according to Nevada authorities.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is under pressure to intensify its enforcement actions against illegal online gambling, particularly illegal offshore operations. A bipartisan coalition of 50 state attorneys general, including Nevada's, has urged the DOJ to take strong federal enforcement actions.
The coalition, led by Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, emphasizes the importance of protecting state-regulated markets, such as Nevada's casinos, and addressing significant tax revenue losses. The estimated annual revenue of illegal online gambling is $400 billion, with potential losses to states reaching up to $4 billion in tax revenue.
Key DOJ enforcement requests include pursuing injunctive relief under the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act to block illegal gambling websites and disrupt payment processing linked to illicit gambling. The coalition also recommends seizing assets, such as domain names, servers, proceeds, and other property used by illegal gambling operators.
Moreover, the coalition suggests coordinating with financial institutions and payment processors to block transactions and dismantle the financial infrastructure supporting illegal offshore gambling. This includes companies like Visa, MasterCard, and banks.
Nevada's inclusion in this coalition reflects its significant stake in combating illegal online gambling that threatens its regulated casino industry's revenue and integrity. However, no specific DOJ action focused solely on Nevada casinos has been separately announced; the efforts are part of a broader federal push to enforce laws governing illegal internet gambling nationwide.
Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford has written a detailed letter outlining specific steps for the DOJ to take against illegal online gaming. The letter, written by Charlotte Capewell on behalf of COMPLETE iGAMING, highlights the negative impact of illegal online gambling on Nevada's casinos along the Las Vegas Strip.
Ford believes illegal online gaming weakens regulated markets designed to protect consumers and communities. He considers illegal online gaming a threat to all jurisdictions, not just Nevada. The coalition demands a similar coordinated federal crackdown to protect legal gaming markets and recover lost tax revenues.
While the DOJ has successfully conducted operations like the 2011 “Black Friday” crackdown on illegal poker sites and the 2024 seizure of cybercrime domains, enforcement against illegal offshore gambling has been limited since 2013. The coalition hopes this renewed push will bring about a significant change in the fight against illegal online gambling.
The coalition, led by Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, calls for the DOJ to address the significant tax revenue losses due to illegal online gambling, focusing on Nevada's casinos and the broader casino culture in Las Vegas. They recommend coordinating with financial institutions, including Visa, MasterCard, and banks, to block transactions and dismantle the financial infrastructure supporting illegal offshore gambling. Nevada's inclusion in this coalition underscores its commitment to combating illegal online gambling threatening its regulated casino industry's revenue and integrity.
