October 25, 2012

Dear Majority Leader Reid, Senator McConnell, Speaker Boehner, and Representative Pelosi:

On behalf of the nation’s governors, we urge you again to involve the states collectively in the development of possible legislation to regulate Internet gaming.

NGA has reviewed draft Senate legislation that would prohibit Internet gaming, whether interstate or intrastate, except off-track horse wagers and licensed online poker.  As you know, states that authorize gaming in whatever form derive significant revenues critical to help fund programs for education, senior citizens, military veterans, and other important services.

The draft would preempt emerging state regulatory authority recently established by the U.S. Justice Department under a reinterpretation of the federal Wire Act, which could restrict state revenues derived from gaming.  We oppose the draft Senate legislation in its current form as an unnecessary preemption of state authority. 

We urge Congress to engage with us during the entire legislative process on matters like this that could preempt or otherwise alter the authority of states.

Sincerely,