The Hill – The national police officers union is telling Congress not to impose a nationwide ban on online gambling. “We cannot ban our way out of this problem as this would simply drive online gaming further and further underground and put more and more people at risk,” Fraternal Order of Police National President Chuck Canterbury wrote to heads of the House Judiciary Committee last week. “Not only does the black market for Internet gaming include no consumer protections, it also operates entirely offshore with unlicensed operators, drastically increasing the threat of identity theft, fraud or other criminal acts.” The…

Gaming Intelligence – Divisions between members over the regulation of online gambling in the US have seen the American Gaming Association (AGA) withdraw from lobbying efforts to legalise iGaming. The association’s chief executive Geoff Freeman explained that it would no longer lobby in favour of online gaming and recommend that companies should work in their own separate coalitions. He said that the decision was taken “in keeping with the AGA’s core mission of bringing the industry together on issues of common cause.” FULL STORY (SUBSCRIPTION)

iGaming Business – The National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) has vetted an initial draft of its proposed framework for the regulation of online gaming in the US. Entitled ‘Policy Framework for the Regulation of Internet Gaming’, the organisation said it has developed the draft as a model for states considering legalising online gaming and intends to protect both states wishing to participate in internet gaming and those that do not. The framework addresses player protection, problem gambling protection, taxation, licensing, enforcement, payment processing, regulatory authority, multi-jurisdictional agreements, game choice and legality, as well as age verification, geo-location…

The Hill – The National Governors Association (NGA) is opposing legislation from Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) that would ban online gambling. “The nation’s governors are concerned with legislation introduced in Congress that would ban online Internet gaming and Internet lottery sales because it challenges the federal-state relationship,” the governors wrote in a letter to congressional leaders. Backed by billionaire casino owner and conservative donor Sheldon Adelson, Graham and Chaffetz introduced twin bills in March that would ban online gambling. They argue this practice would be harmful to children who may have access to such sites…

iGaming Business – Online gaming company Paf has joined forces with Swedish game developer Proactive Gaming in an effort to develop new internet bingo titles. The new collaboration will replace Paf’s existing arrangement with Canadian firm Parlay Games. Kim Johansson, head of games at Paf, said the company hopes to develop the industry’s ‘best bingo product’ under the new collaboration. “We believe that we have found a partner with extensive experience and unique knowledge that gives us the flexibility to be able to go the whole distance and eventually create unique experiences for our customers,” Johansson said. Paul Burman, chief…

The Internet has changed lives in a number of meaningful ways. It has unleashed a great transformation that has allowed access to information and services through a swipe or a click. Over 85 percent of Americans use the Internet and there are over 900 million users of social media around the world on any given day.  As the Internet continues to fuel innovation for American consumers, Tribal governments are rightly pursuing all online opportunities as instruments for economic growth. When Congress passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) in 1988 Federal laws governing gaming on Tribal lands did not exist….