Outline of the King Internet Gaming Legislation
“Internet Gambling Regulation, Enforcement, and Consumer Protection Act of 2013”
1.Legalizes all forms of online gambling, with the exception of sports betting, when offered by federallylicensed and regulated operators who meet strict standards for integrity and controls to protectconsumers.2.The federal government retains overall jurisdiction and oversight over federal internet gambling, butrelies on state expertise for licensing and enforcement under a common federal standard. Therationale for a federal standard is that, as a result of the DOJ revised opinion on the Wire Act releasedin December 2011, states are racing to adopt varying laws legalizing online gambling. A commonfederal standard will ensure strong protections for consumers, protect against problem and underagegambling, and make it easier for businesses, players, lawmakers, and regulators to navigate and freely participate.3.Creates an Office of Internet Gambling Oversight in the Department of the Treasury. As the federalregulator, the Office would oversee state and tribal agencies carrying out licensing activity, and wouldhave independent authority to carry out licensing activity for any entity that chose to apply directly tothe Office instead of an existing state or tribal authority. The bill establishes criteria for state andtribal bodies to carry out licensing activities on behalf of the federal government.4.Gives any state or tribe that does not wish to participate in the federal interstate system the ability toopt-out and prohibit online gambling or to operate intrastate gaming within its borders as authorizedunder state or tribal law. To opt-out, the state governor or tribal leader would simply notify theTreasury of the decision to opt-out, or the legislature can pass a law to opt-out.5.The Act treats casinos, Indian tribes, lotteries, and other potential operators equally. None wouldreceive preference in licensing, and once licensed an operator would have the authority to take play onall types of online gambling as authorized under the Act.6.Requires qualifying licensing bodies to prescribe regulations to prevent underage gambling andenforce fair play, and for the development of a compulsive gaming, responsible gaming, and self-exclusion program for each licensee to implement as a condition of licensure, and minimum standardsapplicable to such programs.7.Revises the Public Health Services Act to allow federal funds to be used to treat gambling addiction – currently federal health funding cannot be used to help those who suffer from this addiction.
8.Applies tough penalties to unlicensed operators. One major goal of this bill is to put them, and their off-shore, untaxed, unregulated services, out of business, forever.9.Shuts down money launderers and criminals seeking to use internet gambling to move funds.Regulating online gambling at a federal level will clearly separate illicit operators from law-abidinglicensed operators.10.Grandfathers online gambling operations offered by states and tribes as of the date of enactment.
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