The state of New Jersey has sued the U.S. Department of Justice over their recent reversal of opinion on the Federal Wire Act. The suit revolves around the states Freedom of Information Act request for documents related to Sheldon Adelson’s involvement in their decision. Also, we cover industry news from Indiana, Colorado and Fox Sports!
Hello friends, and thanks for joining me on another edition of it This Week in Gambling! We’ve got a show cram packed with all sorts of gaming headlines, including stories from Colorado and Indiana… but first it’s this week’s big story!
Nearly two months ago I told you all that the state of New Hampshire had sued the US Department of Justice over their to changes to the Federal Wire Act. Changes that actually threaten the entire online gambling industry in America. And now we have more legal action. Now New Jersey has filed a separate suit over the Wire Act opinion, but they’re attacking the DOJ from a different angle. New Hampshire sued because the changes threaten their online lottery profits, and New Jersey is suing over the Freedom of Information Act.
Check this out: Shortly after the DOJ pulled their little switcheroo with the Federal Wire Act, New Jersey filed a Freedom of Information Act request. They are looking for documentation as to what led the DOJ to reinterpret their opinion… documentation that could lead to this guy… Sheldon Adelson. The state Attorney General actually said he wants to find out if the DOJ’s about face on this issue has any ties at all to Mr. Adelson throwing his money around… all in an effort to crush the online gambling industry and protect his land-based casino empire. Now New Jersey submitted their request back in February, and the Justice Department had 20 days to turn over the documentation. Yet here we are in the middle of May and so far… nothing! Kind of makes you wonder what the DOJ is trying to hide!
In the interest of full disclosure, the Department o’ Justice did say that they have not turned over the request to documents in a timely manner due to unusual circumstances… yeah I just bet they’re unusual! However, they offered no explanation on what unusual circumstances really are. Maybe covering their tracks? My guess is that if the DOJ eventually turns over any documentation it will be heavily redacted. That is, marked up with all those black lines you can’t read through in order to cover up all the naughty bits. Yeah, but New Jersey won’t settle for that now… they’ve got too much vested interest in the outcome of this… about 300 million vested interests annually to be precise.
Last week I told you that Montana had legalized sports betting, and that a bill to regulate the activity was on the desk of the governor in Indiana. This week I’m here to tell you that Indiana has regulated sports betting, and that a bill to legalize the activity is on the desk of the governor in Colorado. So maybe next week, you know… fingers crossed!
Also this week, we have a brand new game review to share with you for the Zeus Ancient Fortunes online slot from Microgaming. It’s a five real game with cascading reels and ten paylines that features free spins, wild and scatter symbols, and the bonus round. You can find this game and many more on our YouTube channel. While you’re there remember to subscribe and support our channel, and click that Bell up top on the page… that way you get updates whenever we publish a brand new video.
Finally this week, Fox Sports is partnering with the Stars Group… that’s the parent company of Full Tilt and Poker Stars… in order to bring a real money and play for free sports betting app to America this fall. The FoxBet app will take real money wagers in states where the activity is regulated and offer a play for free version everywhere else nationwide giving away real money prizes so hey just one more reason to look forward to football season!
Read more about the DOJ Wire Act strategy and other stories at This Week in Gambling!
