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Casino Groups Among Ambivalent About Online Gambling
WASHINGTON, D.C. --
A number of new measures have been introduced to Congress by Representatives attempting to prevent further damage and confusion as a result of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. Each of several bills seeks to modify the UIGEA in a manner that would clarify exactly what is illegal as far as online gambling, and then plan for regulation and taxation of those enterprises ruled legal.
In turn, every corner of the gambling industry has different thoughts about these bills. Indian casinos, the cruise ship industry, state lottery operators, and online casinos each lobby for the methodology that most rewards their niche of the wagering business.
Frank Fahrenkopf was recently interviewed by PocketFives as to his feelings about Jim McDermott's proposal to regulate and tax online gambling federally, and then distribute that revenue to states proportionate to population. Fahrenkopf is the president and CEO of the American Gaming Association, the group responsible for representing land-based casinos, notably the Las Vegas giants.
Fahrenkopf said his group had not yet declared a formal position, but that it was unhappy with the idea of taxation at the federal level. "... I must say that most of the companies that we work with have opposed federal regulation and taxation of any form of gambling. It’s an intrusion on states’ rights."
Of course, the AGA has to consider protecting the Nevada casinos' great tax situation, in which less than 10 % is paid to the state from casino coffers. This arrangement is by far the most advantageous in the country for the casino industry, and any federal intrusion into gambling taxation may be seen as a threat.
Further, the return of the online gambling market to the U.S. does pose competitive questions for land casinos. Thus, it is easy to see how well-meaning legislation can get sidetracked, when members of the gaming community are as likely to be opponents to online casino regulation as any anti-gambling group.
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