Currently the legal situation n in the U.S is unclear as the Federal Government has yet to implement uniform standards and rules which would make internet gambling a lot easier to regulate. It is largely up to individual states to take up the reigns and do all the work themselves. While states like Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey have already taken the plunge in issuing gaming licenses there is a need for nationwide action in order to ensure a profitable industry for all parties involved.
In a recent interview with Reuters, MGM CEO Jim Murren raised the interesting notion that states should combine forces in order to maximize the chance of online gambling in the U.S. becoming viable.
Murren said, “We are encouraged to know that states are talking to one another. They are crafting their own legislation and legal frameworks but are talking with other states in anticipation of compacting with multiple states.”
Murren like many other industry experts favor a federal approach as it would create a uniform standard which would make it easier to bring it to their state legislatures for approval. On the other hand if each state has to come up with their own regulations and procedures this could mean a non profitable gambling model as well as complicate the legalization process.
This thinking was echoed by executive vice president for MGM at a recent gaming conference, “Absent a federal law permitting online poker or gaming, I would urge that states … come up with uniform regulations and uniform technical requirements to the extent that they can because that will make it much easier for the industry to bring the product to your jurisdiction.”
It is clear to all that in the absence of federal guidelines the only way forward for all parties and states who have a stake in online gambling is for there to be interstate co-operation which would see online gambling being utilized to the benefit of all.