U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, is leading the bipartisan effort to urge the Department of Justice (DOJ) to take robust action on illegal offshore gaming operations. It has included sending a bipartisan letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi regarding how these illegal offshore operators are harming America’s youth.
Eleven of her colleagues also signed it. The letter is also led by Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). Here is an excerpt that addresses how these gaming operations are negatively impacting minors:
“Illegal offshore gaming operations allow minors to engage in unregulated sports betting and gaming with no oversight, unlike legal domestic operations. These illegal offshore gaming operations expose young people to numerous harms, including by permitting them to gamble without age verification, on credit, and offering no resources for gambling addictions. Young people, including minors, are increasingly gambling, and illegal offshore operators prey on them for profit.”
The letter to AG Bondi seeks additional focus and cooperation on this issue. It lists specific information requests from the DOJ that include:
While some form of sports betting is legal in 38 states along with Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, the list of jurisdictions offering legal online casinos is much shorter. New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Delaware are it. The scenario gives offshore operators an opening to target customers in those unregulated states.
This battle against illegal offshore operators remains an ongoing fight that requires a united front. Earlier this year, the American Gaming Association (AGA) reported a 22% increase in illegal gambling in the United States since 2022. The report also provided a breakdown of estimated total revenue over that same period, with illegal operators accounting for $53.9 billion out of the $169 billion. The percentage of underage gamblers was not included.
These numbers are just another example of why there is a major push to completely stop illegal offshore operators from doing business in the U.S., not just with minors. There has been a collective effort from 50 attorneys general to push the DOJ to take action against offshore operators.
On the state level, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) is doing its part by sending cease-and-desist letters to unlicensed operators. In October alone, the control board targeted eight illegal online casinos operating in Michigan.
Aussie Play, Crypto Games, FortuneJack, Hugewin Casino, My Stake Casino, Play at Harry’s Casino, RuneChat, and Slots Garden are the latest brands to make the list. Since these casinos are not licensed by the MGCB, they remain unregulated and open the door for minors to create accounts.
The bipartisan letter sent to the DOJ is just the latest step being taken to put a stop to these illegal offshore operators. The results are to be determined.
