Journal Sentinel – In a move that brought about a tectonic shift in how states can legally offer gambling online, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a simple and discreet ruling that opened the gate for states and operators to offer online poker, bingo, lotteries and casino games to U.S. citizens. The ruling was timed to be as discreet as possible: issued Friday, Dec. 21, 2011, when many in the industry were either traveling or preparing for the Christmas holiday. The DOJ shifted its position regarding the Wire Act of 1961, which previously barred the transmission of betting data over…