Delaware IGaming and NFL betting Bill Introduced

[tangled]

Originally Posted by oldbookguy

I would say no less legal than the lotto compacts, DoJ complained then but.....not sure if actual legislation was ever passed to allow this.

States claim since no money is "bet" except in state.....

See same here, a hub with state I-Poker, ala Mountaineer Online, ect.

Pulling for Deleware, I am in WV and seems we are in if they are!

But you are assuming that the feds (the DOJ and/or Congress) are consistent in their approach to, and enforcement of, Gaming. Horse Racing and the UIGEA tells us that is not so. I could well see them picking on Ipoker, despite the hypocrisy, because it is the "crack cocaine" of gambling, etc..

Plus, the DOJ is getting push back on their letter of intrastate tolerance. I could well see Obama or Romney splitting the baby by allowing intrastate Igaming but "standing firm" against an Igaming compact.

[DonkeyQuixote]

Originally Posted by MrAce777

In b4 Delaware passes internet gambling bill into law before NJ. It seems almost as if it is inevitable that DE should form a compact with NJ and/or other states that could potentially have internet gambling or internet poker.

Delaware already compacts with West Virginia and Rhode Island for casino jackpots.

This will pass the Senate and be signed by the Governor. The State is heavily dependent upon gaming revenue and watching its gross drop every year as nearby States add casino space.

(In an interesting aside, the Lottery effectively controls the outcome of legislation as well as the casinos/racetracks in the State.)

[tangled]

Originally Posted by DonkeyQuixote

Delaware already compacts with West Virginia and Rhode Island for casino jackpots.

This will pass the Senate and be signed by the Governor. The State is heavily dependent upon gaming revenue and watching its gross drop every year as nearby States add casino space.

(In an interesting aside, the Lottery effectively controls the outcome of legislation as well as the casinos/racetracks in the State.)

Cool. Good to know.

[DrewOnTilt]

Originally Posted by DonkeyQuixote

Delaware already compacts with West Virginia and Rhode Island for casino jackpots.

This will pass the Senate and be signed by the Governor. The State is heavily dependent upon gaming revenue and watching its gross drop every year as nearby States add casino space.

(In an interesting aside, the Lottery effectively controls the outcome of legislation as well as the casinos/racetracks in the State.)

"Heavily dependent" is an understatement. Before I got the below response from Senator Tom Carper to one of my emails, I had no idea how much my current state of residence depends on gaming bucks.

Dear Tilting Dude:

Thank you for contacting me to express your support for the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act and the Internet Gambling Prohibition, Poker Consumer Protection, and Strengthening UIGEA Act. I appreciate hearing the input of avid poker players, like you, on this matter.

As you also know, on December 23, 2011, the Department of Justice announced that the Wire Act only applies against sports betting and, therefore, does not prohibit online poker. In states that ban online poker, however, the Department of Justice is able to prosecute gambling businesses that engage in online poker under the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006. States that allow online gaming, are allowed to regulate it within their borders—so-called intranet gaming.

I have heard from a number of constituents who argue that legalizing and regulating Internet poker on a federal level, across state lines could put gambling providers in a position to set limits on wagers and restrain excess gambling. Additionally, proponents of online poker argue that regulating Internet gambling, instead of criminalizing it, could help reduce fraudulent activity associated with the industry.

In response, Congressman John Campbell (R-CA) introduced H.R. 1174, the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act, on May 17, 2011. This legislation would establish a licensing and regulatory framework for various forms of Internet gambling. H.R. 1174 has been referred to the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security for further review.

Additionally, Congressman Joe Barton (R-TX) introduced H.R. 2366, the Internet Gambling Prohibition, Poker Consumer Protection, and Strengthening UIGEA Act, on June 23, 2011. This legislation would explicitly legalize and regulate poker. H.R. 2366 has also been referred to the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security for further review.

With that being said, I understand your support for legalizing Internet poker. I have heard from a number of constituents who argue that legalizing and regulating Internet gambling could put gambling providers in a position to set limits on wagers and restrain excess gambling. Additionally, proponents of amending the bill, argue that regulating Internet gambling, instead of criminalizing it, could help reduce fraudulent activity associated with the industry. I believe that the concerns raised in your correspondence deserve consideration.

On the other hand, as Delaware's former governor, I have concerns that these bills could have adverse effects on the First State. Congressman Barton's bill, for example, includes a provision that gives a two-year monopoly on Internet poker operations to established "brick and mortar" casinos. Delaware's state lottery, which generates up to one fifth of the state's revenue (over $287 million) and operates three casino properties, could not enter the market. At the end of the two-year period, then it is up to the U.S. Department of Commerce to determine if a state lottery can be licensed. Additionally, Congressman Campbell's bill would reduce state revenues by 10 percent because there would be less incentive to participate in traditional state gaming.

Should I get the chance to consider measures that would legalize and regulate Internet gambling in the 112th Congress, I will be sure to keep your views in mind. Thank you again for contacting my office regarding this issue. Please feel free to contact my office in the future about this or any other matter of importance to you




Sincerely,

Tom Carper
United States Senator

[sba9630]

Tom Carper - United States Senator:

...Additionally, Congressman Campbell's bill would reduce state revenues by 10 percent because there would be less incentive to participate in traditional state gaming...

"...reduce state revenues by 10 percent..."

Did he completely disregard the fees/taxes Delaware would collect on internet poker/gambling?

I just woke up. Am I missing something?

[DonkeyQuixote]

Originally Posted by DrewOnTilt

"Heavily dependent" is an understatement. Before I got the below response from Senator Tom Carper to one of my emails, I had no idea how much my current state of residence depends on gaming bucks.

Yes, it is a serious issue for Delaware.

Given the interesting interplay between established B&M operations and the lottery in Delaware (and Kansas for that matter), I would not advise those States to concede that the Barton Bill would bar their frespective casinos from entry into the market.

However, you get the idea why the States with active lotteries are both vocal opponents to their exclusion from a "federal solution" AND early movers into the online poker field on their own, ay the State and multi-state level.

(I always liked Delaware when I had a house there in Dewey Beach quite a few years back. Still not any State sales tax ?)

[DrewOnTilt]

Originally Posted by sba9630

Tom Carper - United States Senator:

"...reduce state revenues by 10 percent..."

Did he completely disregard the fees/taxes Delaware would collect on internet poker/gambling?

I just woke up. Am I missing something?

You're not missing anything. I think that his math is a bit off. Regardless, I won't harp on Tom Carper. His office has generally been supportive of us in the past, and he has sent me numerous pro-poker responses to my emails and letters. It was an aide from his office that gave me a good insight the DOJ's motives during Black Friday.

[DrewOnTilt]

Originally Posted by DonkeyQuixote

(I always liked Delaware when I had a house there in Dewey Beach quite a few years back. Still not any State sales tax ?)

Yeah, Dewey Beach is a well-kept secret. Small but fun.

Still no sales tax, but they tax the ever loving hell out of everything else. My real estate tax is almost 3 times what it was before I moved. Plus the rake on lotto tickets is obscene around here .

[mapleleaf]

HB333 is now out of the Senate Executive Committee:

http://legis.delaware.gov/LIS/lis146...4?OpenDocument

Long Title: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 4 AND 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE STATE LOTTERY.
Committee: EXECUTIVE
Number of Committee Members: 6
Date of Report: 06/20/2012
Committee Vote:
- Favorable: 0
- On Its Merits: 4
- Unfavorable: 0

[PokerXanadu]

Originally Posted by mapleleaf

HB333 is now out of the Senate Executive Committee:

http://legis.delaware.gov/LIS/lis146...4?OpenDocument

And it looks like it is on the Senate Agenda for Tuesday 6/26:
http://legis.delaware.gov/LIS/lis146...enda/?openview

[DonkeyQuixote]

Originally Posted by PokerXanadu

And it looks like it is on the Senate Agenda for Tuesday 6/26:
http://legis.delaware.gov/LIS/lis146...enda/?openview

I am told it is better than even money to pass into law, by a reliable handicapper of such things in Delaware.

[MrAce777]

I seriously think this bill will easily pass into law in Delaware before NJ.

[kidcharisma1]

Anyone see any news on this today?

As far as I can tell it hasn't been voted on today yet.

[LastLife]

Originally Posted by sba9630

Tom Carper - United States Senator:

"...reduce state revenues by 10 percent..."

Did he completely disregard the fees/taxes Delaware would collect on internet poker/gambling?

I just woke up. Am I missing something?

He is talking about the Frank bill that keeps all taxes at the federal level. It regulates everything, not just poker. It would definitely have an effect on DE's tax revenue.


I think that this is a legitimate concern. States have traditionally used gambling tax revenue to fund their bottom line. If we expect a bill out of congress, there can't be a federal gambling tax of any kind. What we would need:

1. Set regulations for state regulators. States are going to be the ones regulating Igaming. A federal bill needs to address:
a. Uniform tax code. No matter which site from whatever state your citizens are playing on, the state should get the same revenue. Say a 5-10% tax on revenue that is split between states. The split would be based entirely on how much players from a given stated played(payed rake).
b. Basic regulations. Feds should dictate that a site must pass xyz inspection, keep funds segregated, underage player protections, etc. Specific regulations like min/max deposits should be left up to state regulators.
2. No barriers for any gaming interest to enter or blackout period. Tribes, Lotteries, Casinos, and Racetracks should all have an equal opportunity to compete. No denying licenses based on location of gaming interest. Take a Casino/Tribe/lottery in Ohio, they should be able to get a license in Nevada if Ohio wasn't a regulator.
3. Criminalize cheating. States are going to need help going after cheaters/botters across state lines.


I don't see a federal bill passing without addressing these problems. I'd really like to hear what Joe Barton has to say about these issues. He is on the side of poker is a skill game and we should protect it, but at the same time he is seeking to give a monopoly to big casinos. That sounds more like politics at this point than seeking a federal solution.

[tamiller866]

Del. Senate delays vote on online gambling

The Markell administration and lawmakers also were working to avoid possible amendments to the bill amid complaints by the state's harnessing racing industry that it wouldn't get a fair share of the new revenue. Officials plan to continue talking with the industry over the coming months.