At its annual convention in Minneapolis, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) formally adopted a resolution in support of the 2011 DoJ Wire Act decision and against attempts to establish a national ban on Internet #poker (and Internet casino-style gaming too). NCSL also came out against legislation that would regulate online poker (and online casino-style gaming) at the federal level, but does not seem to take a position on federal legislation that simply enables interstate play while keeping the decision-making with the states.

It's the last resolution here: http://www.ncsl.org/ncsl-in-dc/task-...committee.aspx . Here it is in its entirety:

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State Sovereignty in Online Gaming (Resolution) (Joint with Communications, Financial Services and Interstate Commerce Committee)

WHEREAS, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) believes the federal government must respect the sovereignty of states to allow or to prohibit Internet gambling by its residents; and

WHEREAS, the 2011 ruling by the United States Justice Department on the Federal Wire Act of 1961, 18 U.S.C. §1084, clarifies that intra-state online gambling is lawful. Any effort by Congress or the administration to reverse this ruling is preemptive and diminishes the flexibility of state legislatures to be innovative and responsive to the unique needs of the residents of each state; and

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NCSL requests Congress consider the perspective of the states as it examines this issue and asks that it involve state legislators in any federal efforts that seek to reform the regulation of online gaming. NCSL strongly opposes any effort by the federal government to overturn the Justice Department’s ruling or consideration of legislation overruling state authority by legalizing or regulating gambling at the federal level. NCSL also requests that federal lawmakers be respectful of state legislatures that prohibit online gaming or other forms of gaming within their state.

So this is really good news? Or does it not change much?

With the pressure Adelson has been putting on, it's good to see them reiterating their position and formalizing it in a resolution.

How dare state officials try to dictate national policy.

State legislatures agree on a resolution that state legislatures should have all the power and the federal government should take a hike? I'm shocked. Simply shocked.

It really doesn't seem like they're saying anything about being for or against igaming. They just want the power to make the decision themselves.

Unlike the few state attorneys general who signed a letter asking for a national ban.

I'd rather have a group of state officials asking to make the decision than a group of state officials asking for a federal ban. Wouldn't you?

So, actually they oppose both the Adelson federal ban bill on igaming and the Barton federal bill to license and regulate online poker. They want no federal bills in regards to licensing or regulating gambling, whether or not on the Internet. Aligns pretty well with the Tea Party line of limited federal government.

True. I'm guessing that those officials have higher office in mind and were courting Adelson. I know that's at least true for the Texas attorney general who's running for governor.

Well, governors are coming out against the right of states to do this, so it's not as shocking as it sounds. And, LVS's Andy Abboud was out there, saying they'd be revoking Bobby Kennedy's dream if they messed with his Wire Act (Abboud seriously said that).

They specifically came out against a federal ban in favor of states being allowed to make their own decision. That's about the best they could have done IMO.