On a day when New Jersey will become the third state to legalize and regulate online gambling in the United States, the USA Today Editorial Board published an article calling for the end of the industry in the United States. The piece, entitled “Internet gambling is a bad bet,” remarked, “Gambling tends to spread fast, fueled by state governments desperate for new revenue or desperate to protect existing revenue streams.”

Nevada allows intrastate online poker only and two sites, WSOP.comand Ultimate Poker, have already popped up. Delaware and New Jersey permit full-blown online casino gambling, resulting in a well-rounded array of games. USA Today, however, wants no part, telling readers, “With legal gambling headed for an electronic device near you, it’s time for Congress to rise above its current dysfunction and pull the plug. The only thing lawmakers have to do is clarify that the 2006 law, and a 1961 law from which it drew, apply to all forms of online gaming.”

The 2006 law in question is the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, while the Wire Act of 1961, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, only applies to online wagering on sports. Recently, it was announced that Las Vegas Sands CEO Sheldon Adelson will launch the Coalition to Stop Internet Gambling next year and reportedly pump eight-figures’ worth of money into the cause in an effort to eject the industry from the U.S.

The accessibility of gambling was a major concern for USA Today: “The nation has enough social pathologies to worry about without unleashing a new form of domestic gambling that is all but impossible to police or keep contained in one place. People with addictive personalities would either have to give up their smartphones, tablets, and computers, or have a casino at arm’s reach 24/7.” It added that safeguards like age verification could be “easily beaten.”

Poker Players Alliance Vice President of Player Relations Rich TheEngineer Muny encouraged players to respond to USA Today’s Quick Poll about the article on the lower right of the page. The Poll asks users whether they Strongly Agree, Agree, Don’t Know, Disagree, or Strongly Disagree with the editorial. As of the time of writing, 64% of respondents, or nearly two-thirds, said they Strongly Disagreed with the editorial’s standpoint. There were 273 votes cast and nearly 70 comments from readers.

According to reports, Adelson could campaign to clarify the Wire Act to say that all forms of online gambling are prohibited, which could effectively end intrastate online gaming in the U.S.

What’s your response to the USA Today editorial? Let us know by commenting here.

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