The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has reportedly announced that it is to give online gambling firms up to 90 days to alter their policies and practices so as to comply with its latest stance concerning sections of the Interstate Wire Act of 1961.
Short respite:
According to a Wednesday report from CalvinAyre.com, the nation’s top law enforcement agency described the suspension as ‘an internal exercise of prosecutorial discretion’ that is designed to give iGaming operators enough time to change their conduct. But, it purportedly warned firms that the break should not be interpreted as ‘a safe harbor for violations’ as it intends to begin fully prosecuting rule-breakers once the brief holiday finishes.
Altered stance:
CalvinAyre.com reported that the move comes after November saw the Office of Legal Counsel controversially reverse a 2011 opinion to make all iGaming activities that involve an interstate transaction illegal. It detailed that the alteration allegedly came at the behest of President Donald Trump following considerable supposed lobbying from the likes of land-based casino giants such as Las Vegas Sands Corporation and is to make it almost impossible for sites to utilize shared liquidity from multiple jurisdictions.
Shared liquidity victims:
The DOJ’s changing attitude towards iGaming is reportedly set to especially impact the multi-state 888Poker.com and WSOP.com online poker offerings from the Caesars Interactive Entertainment Incorporated subsidiary of Las Vegas-based Caesars Entertainment Corporation. These services purportedly offer players in New Jersey, Delaware and Nevada the chance to compete against one another for large cash prizes but their futures have now been put in jeopardy following the Trump administration’s latest move.
Multiple potential casualties:
CalvinAyre.com reported that the DOJ had more recently only used the Interstate Wire Act to go after interstate transactions associated with sportsbetting, which was one of the main drivers behind the successful campaign to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protections Act (PASPA). But, it purportedly asserted that the government’s revised stance is expected to be vociferously challenged as it could additionally negatively affect online casino and poker domains operated by the likes of William Hill, The Stars Group Incorporated, Paddy Power Betfair and GVC Holdings.
