AGA hails US efforts to combat illegal offshore gambling

The American Gaming Association (AGA) has been mounting pressure on the Department of Justice (DoJ) to crack down on offshore betting sites and online casinos that provide illicit gambling services to United States citizens.
 
The AGA’s President and CEO, Bill Miller, recently praised the US congress for addressing a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland calling on him to take a quick action to curb illegal offshore gambling activities in the country.
 
“Our country’s leaders are clearly and appropriately alarmed by the prevalence of offshore sportsbooks and law enforcement must act to identify the worst actors, investigate and prosecute them,” said Miller.

“Offshore gambling websites are a significant threat to consumer protections and the economic benefits legal gaming provides for communities across the country. Eradicating these websites, and all forms of illegal gambling is one of AGA’s top priorities.”
 
In total, 28 congressmen signed a letter sent to the DoJ requesting them to clamp down on illegal offshore sports betting in the US. 
 
Congress members noted in the letter that offshore gambling companies don’t follow the rules guiding gambling activities in the country, citing their lack of capacity to combat money laundering, sports integrity issues, or underaged gambling.  
 
“These predatory operations expose our constituents to financial and cyber vulnerabilities, do not have protocols to address money laundering, sports integrity, or age restrictions; and undermine states’ efforts to capture much needed tax revenue through legal sports betting channels,” the letter says.
 
“As this nascent legal market continues to expand, we cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that the illegal market is thriving and operating unfettered. These offshore operations, including Bovada, MyBookie and BetOnline, have developed sophisticated platforms that are nearly indistinguishable from those of legal providers.”
 
In April of this year, the AGA wrote a similar letter to the DoJ requesting a crackdown on illegal offshore betting brands, noting that their continued operations in the US undermine all efforts in regulating the gaming industry. 
 
Some 81% of people that use offshore sportsbooks are unaware they are transacting with illegal operators, as noted in recent research conducted by the Fantasy Sports & Gaming Commission.

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