State lotteries head to Washington to enforce states' rights on gambling

Mar 25, 2015, 10:57 am (28 comments)

Insider Buzz

"Restoration of America's Wire Act" legislation would restrict your rights to spend your money as you please

State Lottery officials from across the United States held meetings with members of Congress today in Washington, D.C., to add their voices to those of state lawmakers advocating for the federal government to continue to support states' authority to establish their own gambling policies.

The lottery officials expressed their concerns about proposed federal legislation designed to restrict states' rights in regulating Internet gaming. House Resolution 707, introduced Feb. 4, would amend America's Wire Act by instituting strict regulations covering Internet gaming that could have serious consequences for state lotteries across the nation.

The bill is sponsored by Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT-3).  The latest action on the bill came on March 16th, when it was referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.

The full text of the bill can be found below in the Related Links section.

"While we understand the concerns many have about Internet gaming, states have a long and successful history of listening to their constituents and developing a regulated approach that's working," said Charlie McIntyre, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Lottery Commission. "Shifting that responsibility to the federal government is not only an infringement of states' rights, it's a bad policy decision."

State lottery directors met with elected leaders on both sides of the aisle to express their concerns about the unintended consequences of the proposed legislation.

Topping the list of those concerns is that under the proposal, expansion could continue of a dangerous and unregulated black market for Internet gaming that not only poses risks to children, but also leads to criminal activity. Lottery officials said that the legislation as it currently reads also will dramatically reduce revenues generated by voter-approved lotteries to fund important services like education, conservation and services for senior citizens to name a few.

"This bill creates far more problems than it actually addresses," says David Gale, Executive Director of NASPL. "The purpose of our visit is to ensure members of Congress understand the real problems this bill creates. The voters of each state should have a right to make this choice."

McIntyre commented that the proposed legislation forever puts lotteries at an extreme disadvantage moving forward and changes the ways in which lottery games are offered and played.

"The decision to offer games of chance within its own borders is that state's right to make, just as it is the right of Utah and Hawaii to make the decision not to have games of chance within their borders," says McIntyre.

NASPL Press Release, Lottery Post Staff

Comments

TnTicketlosers's avatarTnTicketlosers

I commented on this earlier in the week,it should be my right to spend it where I want,Tennessee wont be it for sure.Sorry kids...

music*'s avatarmusic*

 I am very happy that this Congress member in Utah has to go through many subcommittees ,and full committees before facing the Full House for a majority of votes. Then to the Senate before going to the President. 

 We complain how slow politics is but this is one case where Representative Government displays wisdom of our founders.

 Good Luck to all Lottery Post members and Staff with tonight's Power Ball !

Todd's avatarTodd

It drives me nuts when people in government think that restricting GAMBLING is the key to this country's success.  With all the financial problems, the rise of ISIS and terrorism in general, illegals flooding the borders, corruption, government spying, etc., this guy thinks restricting GAMBLING is going to solve our ills.

I've got some great advice for the Republicans in their newly-controlled Congress:  Lower taxes for everyone, put in place a better healthcare plan, stop spying on your citizens, secure our borders, and for heaven's sake, stop trying to impose restrictions on our freedoms.  If you want to create a new law, make it a law that lifts restrictions and promotes freedom of choice and the freedom to screw up.  Give people credit for having a brain in their head to make their own choices in life.

Shelby Mustang

Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Mar 25, 2015

It drives me nuts when people in government think that restricting GAMBLING is the key to this country's success.  With all the financial problems, the rise of ISIS and terrorism in general, illegals flooding the borders, corruption, government spying, etc., this guy thinks restricting GAMBLING is going to solve our ills.

I've got some great advice for the Republicans in their newly-controlled Congress:  Lower taxes for everyone, put in place a better healthcare plan, stop spying on your citizens, secure our borders, and for heaven's sake, stop trying to impose restrictions on our freedoms.  If you want to create a new law, make it a law that lifts restrictions and promotes freedom of choice and the freedom to screw up.  Give people credit for having a brain in their head to make their own choices in life.

DITTO You really would think they had better things to do but that might not get them reelected for the next term 

ThatScaryChick's avatarThatScaryChick

Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Mar 25, 2015

It drives me nuts when people in government think that restricting GAMBLING is the key to this country's success.  With all the financial problems, the rise of ISIS and terrorism in general, illegals flooding the borders, corruption, government spying, etc., this guy thinks restricting GAMBLING is going to solve our ills.

I've got some great advice for the Republicans in their newly-controlled Congress:  Lower taxes for everyone, put in place a better healthcare plan, stop spying on your citizens, secure our borders, and for heaven's sake, stop trying to impose restrictions on our freedoms.  If you want to create a new law, make it a law that lifts restrictions and promotes freedom of choice and the freedom to screw up.  Give people credit for having a brain in their head to make their own choices in life.

I Agree!

Raven62's avatarRaven62

Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Mar 25, 2015

It drives me nuts when people in government think that restricting GAMBLING is the key to this country's success.  With all the financial problems, the rise of ISIS and terrorism in general, illegals flooding the borders, corruption, government spying, etc., this guy thinks restricting GAMBLING is going to solve our ills.

I've got some great advice for the Republicans in their newly-controlled Congress:  Lower taxes for everyone, put in place a better healthcare plan, stop spying on your citizens, secure our borders, and for heaven's sake, stop trying to impose restrictions on our freedoms.  If you want to create a new law, make it a law that lifts restrictions and promotes freedom of choice and the freedom to screw up.  Give people credit for having a brain in their head to make their own choices in life.

Sorry to say: We did not give our rights and freedoms away: They have been taken from us as if we are a conquered people living under the yoke of oppression.

http://jonathanturley.org/2012/01/15/10-reasons-the-u-s-is-no-longer-the-land-of-the-free/

http://rss.infowars.com/20150324_Tue_Alex.mp3

sully16's avatarsully16

Quote: Originally posted by Raven62 on Mar 25, 2015

Sorry to say: We did not give our rights and freedoms away: They have been taken from us as if we are a conquered people living under the yoke of oppression.

http://jonathanturley.org/2012/01/15/10-reasons-the-u-s-is-no-longer-the-land-of-the-free/

http://rss.infowars.com/20150324_Tue_Alex.mp3

"Indian Policy" has now been brought down on the American people, and the American people are the new Indians of the 21st century.

What happened to us, is happening to you.

                                                       

 

                                                          Russell Means

                                                           1939-2012

Raven62's avatarRaven62

Quote: Originally posted by sully16 on Mar 25, 2015

"Indian Policy" has now been brought down on the American people, and the American people are the new Indians of the 21st century.

What happened to us, is happening to you.

                                                       

 

                                                          Russell Means

                                                           1939-2012

1776

myturn's avatarmyturn

The states should be free set their rules o n lotteries. As long as the IRS gets the taxes on winnings deducted.

Think's avatarThink

If they want to clamp down on the states and they are really concerned for the players then they should pass a law that says all states have to offer anonymous claims.

dallascowboyfan's avatardallascowboyfan

Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Mar 25, 2015

It drives me nuts when people in government think that restricting GAMBLING is the key to this country's success.  With all the financial problems, the rise of ISIS and terrorism in general, illegals flooding the borders, corruption, government spying, etc., this guy thinks restricting GAMBLING is going to solve our ills.

I've got some great advice for the Republicans in their newly-controlled Congress:  Lower taxes for everyone, put in place a better healthcare plan, stop spying on your citizens, secure our borders, and for heaven's sake, stop trying to impose restrictions on our freedoms.  If you want to create a new law, make it a law that lifts restrictions and promotes freedom of choice and the freedom to screw up.  Give people credit for having a brain in their head to make their own choices in life.

I Agree!

grwurston's avatargrwurston

Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Mar 25, 2015

It drives me nuts when people in government think that restricting GAMBLING is the key to this country's success.  With all the financial problems, the rise of ISIS and terrorism in general, illegals flooding the borders, corruption, government spying, etc., this guy thinks restricting GAMBLING is going to solve our ills.

I've got some great advice for the Republicans in their newly-controlled Congress:  Lower taxes for everyone, put in place a better healthcare plan, stop spying on your citizens, secure our borders, and for heaven's sake, stop trying to impose restrictions on our freedoms.  If you want to create a new law, make it a law that lifts restrictions and promotes freedom of choice and the freedom to screw up.  Give people credit for having a brain in their head to make their own choices in life.

WOW. This bill is being sponsored by the representative from Utah. One of only two states that do not have legalized gambling. It sounds to me like this representative is trying to force his views about gambling on the rest of the country.

TnTicketlosers's avatarTnTicketlosers

Wow Todd well said,yes they think we are all so stupid.If I had a bus I would make runs to Georgia every day.

CDanaT's avatarCDanaT

Quote: Originally posted by TnTicketlosers on Mar 26, 2015

Wow Todd well said,yes they think we are all so stupid.If I had a bus I would make runs to Georgia every day.

Yes TnT, you certainly are 110% correct about what they think....They have that "good ole boys/girls club" mentality of we know best...Allowing the feds to control lottery spending across state lines is just another foothold on total control of every facet of your life and what's coming down the road.Kind of a "Socialism 101", so to speak. If they get  their hands in control of any money generating program.....well..we all know what that's going to mean...more tax and more control , especially control(ie...health care,student loans,mortgages) I know, I know, they aren't in control right now, however, they slowly gain a foothold by laws and denials and other tactics by various agencies. We the people want something and yet again, here's Uncle Sam saying,"you don't know what's right, so we will regulate it"....Lemme tell ya something Uncle Sam, you can't stop spending, balance a budget or protect our borders and now you want to tell me how I can/can't spend my money from my state into another..........Sorry but you 525-550 geniuses (including supreme court and a few others) are having a major case of Rectal Cranial Inversion when it comes to the term,"WE the people". I love how they lump it under a few laws of "wire fraud for money laundering or anti-terrorism "..... Sorry about the tirade fellow LPer's
While I could go on and on about our meddling government, I won't........
    As I have gained knowledge through education and life's experiences over the years, it's my wisdom of knowing when to do something and when not to......Too bad our elected officials didn't develop a little bit of that mentality.

Gleno's avatarGleno

Not a big fan of online gambling but the Federal Government is constantly pumping out new rules and regulations which really hamper our freedoms.

Argue

KY Floyd's avatarKY Floyd

Quote: Originally posted by grwurston on Mar 26, 2015

WOW. This bill is being sponsored by the representative from Utah. One of only two states that do not have legalized gambling. It sounds to me like this representative is trying to force his views about gambling on the rest of the country.

Of course he's trying to force his views on everyone else. There are two types of politicians - those that think people need to be regulated and those that think businesses need to be regulated. There's a bit of overlap between the two, but the only thing they all have in common is taking care of themselves and thinking  that what they want is what's best for everyone else.

Stack47

Quote: Originally posted by Gleno on Mar 26, 2015

Not a big fan of online gambling but the Federal Government is constantly pumping out new rules and regulations which really hamper our freedoms.

Argue

"Not a big fan of online gambling"

Congressman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT-3) must not a big fan of Article IV (States Rights) of the U.S. Constitution and probably not Internet savvy either. Any state lottery can offer online wagering and limit the wagering to within its states borders, but Chaffetz wants no online gambling anywhere in the United States. Utah's neighbor Nevada has several legal online poker sites, but to play, they must either have a Nevada residence or be physically inside the state of Nevada.

Do we really want people in other states deciding what is better for us?

myturn's avatarmyturn

The federal restrictions on lotteries only encourages people to play foreign lotteries. It would be far more sensible to allow people to play legitimate state lotteries. It would keep the revenue in the US, but more importantly players would have a genuine chance of winning.

LottoVantage

Gambling is a personal matter. This government intends to limit or restrict any or all personal rights, and dictate everything, period!!

TnTicketlosers's avatarTnTicketlosers

Id like to see someone try to stop from going across the line to play, I know Im not going to win in my state what do thy expect us to do.

MonEl

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/hr707

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/jason_chaffetz/412270

He is from Utha where they don't have a state lottery, so he is not about to get into any trouble there.

I guess that mormons don't play the lottery.

Maybe they go to the Nevada casinos instead.

The republicans don't want people to play the lottery online.

haymaker's avatarhaymaker

Quote: Originally posted by MonEl on Mar 27, 2015

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/hr707

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/jason_chaffetz/412270

He is from Utha where they don't have a state lottery, so he is not about to get into any trouble there.

I guess that mormons don't play the lottery.

Maybe they go to the Nevada casinos instead.

The republicans don't want people to play the lottery online.

Mormons don't go to casinos, but it's OK for them to own them.

Bleudog101

Momos (as they're called in Meridian, ID) trying to force themselves on the rest of us.  Wish President Obama would insruct the DOJ to ignore enforcing this archaic, anti-American law.

Stack47

Quote: Originally posted by myturn on Mar 26, 2015

The federal restrictions on lotteries only encourages people to play foreign lotteries. It would be far more sensible to allow people to play legitimate state lotteries. It would keep the revenue in the US, but more importantly players would have a genuine chance of winning.

There are no federal restrictions on state lotteries because the Fifth Court of Appeals ruled the Interstate Wire Act only applies to sports betting. That same ruling is why the Massachusetts Lottery can offer subscriptions.

"It would be far more sensible to allow people to play legitimate state lotteries."

The future is online lottery wagering, but it will be awhile before there will be interstate online lottery wagering because that does require state agreements and/or Federal legislation. Currently the rules for states with online wagering are the same as purchasing tickets at lottery retailers, players must be physically make ticket purchases within the state.

TnTicketlosers's avatarTnTicketlosers

Anybody can throw numbers up on a screen and make it look good to the public,,,there is only about 4 big hits that hit this state a year,,as the screen says.

JAP69's avatarJAP69

What role will the FCC have in this with their new passage on internet control?

Bleudog101

Quote: Originally posted by Stack47 on Mar 27, 2015

There are no federal restrictions on state lotteries because the Fifth Court of Appeals ruled the Interstate Wire Act only applies to sports betting. That same ruling is why the Massachusetts Lottery can offer subscriptions.

"It would be far more sensible to allow people to play legitimate state lotteries."

The future is online lottery wagering, but it will be awhile before there will be interstate online lottery wagering because that does require state agreements and/or Federal legislation. Currently the rules for states with online wagering are the same as purchasing tickets at lottery retailers, players must be physically make ticket purchases within the state.

I live in KY, but originally from MA.  You can only buy subscriptions for multi-state lotteries in that state,  no mail or phone calls.  I have a subscription for Mega Bucks Doubler from MA which I was able to purchase over the phone.  States like NY, VA and MD you have to have a physical address in those states to purchase subscriptions for multi-state lotteries.  Massachusetts does not have this restriction so when I ask my Brother to get my subscription when they're on sale he will.  Interesting if you get them during the sale period, you get a few weeks free!  So yes, this antiquated 1961 law (Federal) does indeed restrict sales over the phone, Internet or Mail.

cbr$'s avatarcbr$

No, the Federal Government don;t need any more new rule or regulations to steal any more freedom of choice from people. We are adults, here lately our government, as gone to far with their restricting adult activity. The don't give us credit, that we're wise enough to know what we really want to do. or credit to make our own decisions. Our Government, is inching closer to the line of no return. It seem to be head toward taking "FREE WILL" away. A right the Almighty give & not them. Enough is enough. I would like the Government, not to use Terrorism again {fear factor to keep the public in line}, it just another excuse to have your way. Keep the public eyes focused on that, so you can continue to do nothing about things you're send to do for the people. Our government must belief we all have blinders on. Plus no one can see but them. It really seems like our government has become control freaks, constantly crying about something they want. Never grateful for what it all ready blessed with. They're starting to look, spoil , greedy & out of control. If they don't get it , they are not above temp tandems, don't want work together. So, federal government , put your hands back in your own pockets go back to the drawing table and do better then these. We are adults. Now. tell me, beside more restrictions, as a adult, what have you done for us lately , that benefit the people only not you? They want a ruling on this legislation, it really sound like they want the right to be Rulers. We don.t need that.

End of comments
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