New federal egaming ban bill tabled in the Senate
Senator Lindsey Graham introduces legislation seeking to ârestoreâ the Wire Act and ban most forms of internet gaming in the US
 A second bill seeking to ban most forms of internet gaming in the US including in the states where it is already live has been introduced to the Senate. [private]
The bill, which is sponsored by Senators Lindsey Graham and Marco Rubio, seeks to ârestore the Wire Actâ and âprohibit all forms of internet gamblingâ.
The legislation is believed to have the backing of billionaire casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, who has vowed to spend âwhatever it takesâ to bring a ban into force.
The four-page document is companion legislation to the Restoration on Americaâs Wire Act (RAWA) bill introduced to the House of Representatives by Congressman Jason Chaffetz earlier this year.
It was the second time that Chaffetz introduced his RAWA bill, which was co-sponsored by Senator Graham the first time it was tabled.
Both bills have a carve-out for horserace tracks to continue offering online wagering, and for state lottery retailers to offer on-premises ticket sales, including through a self-service retail lottery terminal.
But the online sales that are currently legal in Michigan, Illinois, and Georgia would be prohibited.
Fantasy sports would still be allowed, and the relationship between federal law and state charitable gaming laws would also be unaffected if the legislation passes into law.
Senator Grahamâs decision to introduce the bill has come under fire from the Poker Playerâs Alliance, with director John Pappas saying a ban would strengthen the market for unlicensed offshore operators.
âInstead of banning consumer access to internet poker, Congress should corral the unregulated marketplace and implement a system which protects consumers and empowers the government to hold fraudulent operators accountable,â he added.
RAWAâs chances of success remain unclear after hearings on Chaffetzâ bill earlier this year failed to gain much traction.