US representatives call for crackdown on offshore operators

[The Buzz]

Twenty-eight U.S. representatives made up of 15 Democrats and 13 Republicans have signed a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and the Department of Justice, calling for a crackdown on offshore operators, specifically mentioning Bovada, MyBookie and BetOnline.

From Santa Barbara News Press:

“These dangerous operators are not relegated to the dark web, but instead are easily accessed through any computer or smartphone,” the lawmakers wrote. “This creates confusion for many consumers who may not even know they are wagering illegally.”
Lawmakers pointed directly to three – Bovada, MyBookie and BetOnline – they said have platforms that look similar to regulated operators. Despite not being licensed, these sportsbooks still get promoted by “reputable sports media channels” and can offer enticing odds to bettors.

U.S. Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., who co-chairs the Congressional Gaming Caucus with U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, R-Pa., told The Center Square in a statement that the offshore books pose as legitimate businesses. She and Reschenthaler sent the letter to Garland.
“In reality, these illegal operations have no systems in place to protect customers, exposing users to various financial and cyber vulnerabilities, and do not provide the proper protection for users regarding sports integrity, age restrictions and problem gaming,” Rep.

Titus said. “Additionally, these unregulated sources are utilized by various organizations that take advantage of a lack of vetted protocols to engage in money laundering.”

Titus added that if the DOJ went after offshore operators, it would “effectively” support licensed sportsbooks.

That, in turn, would help states that generate millions in tax revenues from sportsbook revenues.

Read more here: https://newspress.com/action-sought-...e-sportsbooks/

[MJM]

We also covered this a few days ago if anyone is interested in another take on it:

https://www.bettingusa.com/congressi...doj-crackdown/

[eenzoo]

Fu ... nonsense!
That just the typical USA BS "I want the money in my pocket not in yours"

Since when it is illegal to bet on sports or spend some bucks on a BJ table?

[Pokerface]

Yup, they just want the money themselves. Guess was not much of an issue until the market started opening up.

"Dangerous"? That's a bit dramatic!

[Cash Bonus]

Absolutely stupid and such a load of BS!!

[drifter8]

Complete stupidity....

[dannyx]

They are dangerous because?

They offer better odds?
They've been in business for decades?
Offering fast crypto payments?

Scary criminals :P