On Tuesday, Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin announced his office has joined a letter from a bipartisan coalition of 50 state attorneys general asking the U.S. Department of Justice to address illegal internet gambling.
In a statement, Attorney General Griffin said these illegal online sports betting and gaming operations are largely operated by foreign companies who fail to effectively verify users are over 18, ignore state laws, and evade taxes.
The coalition of state attorneys general is urging the DOJ to help address illegal gambling by:
- Using the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act to block access to illegal websites and payment processing mechanisms related to illicit gambling;
- Seizing assets—including servers, websites, domains, and proceeds—used by gambling operators; and
- Coordinating with states, financial institutions, and payment processors to block unlawful transactions and dismantle financial infrastructure related to illegal gaming operations.
Internet gambling of any kind is a serious problem.
We already have seen how gambling addiction has hurt our state. Last year the Arkansas Problem Gambling Council announced it has seen a 22% increase in calls for help with problem gambling — driven largely by internet sports betting.
Internet gambling simply makes it possible for people to gamble — and lose — 24 hours a day from anywhere in Arkansas. That kind of gambling ruins lives, tears families apart, and hurts communities.
We appreciate Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin standing up against illegal internet gambling. We hope Arkansas’ other policymakers continue to do so as well.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.
