Coalition to Stop Internet Gambling Supports DOJ’s Appeal

The Coalition to Stop Internet Gambling, the leading opponent to the US online gambling expansion, has come out with a statement of support and praise towards the Department of Justice’s decision to appeal against the court decision that turned down their revised stance on the Wire Act.

Parker Mantell, a spokesperson for the Coalition said that “American families do not want casinos available on their kids’ mobile devices 24-7, especially now that online casinos are offering cartoon and fairytale-themed games and advertisements for online gaming appearing on websites targeted at children,” pointing out that “The Coalition remains confident that our position is correct legally – and from a policy standpoint.”

Although that may be pointing out someone’s truth even for some percentage of US citizens, especially those reluctant to pay any mind to the advancing developments in behavioural studies and the utilisation of safety measures for regulated gambling, the argument does not stand up to scrutiny.

The microtransactions, which almost all newly released mobile game offers for various purposes of enhancing the players’ performance and thus overall gaming experience, alone, ought to bring about far more serious concerns for those “American families” Mantell is referring to.

In January, the US Department of Justice released a revised reading of the 1961 Wire Act through the Office of Legal Counsel. Now the DoJ is attempting to enforce a new meaning, which broadens the specter of the betting activities, which fall under the regulations of the Wire Act.