Assemblyman J Gary Pretlow, chairman of the New York state assembly racing and wagering committee, is backing proposals to allow real-money online poker in the US state.

J Gary Pretlow

Writing in a blog post for Roll Call, Pretlow says proposals for the restoration of America’s wire act - known as RAWA – would prevent states “from capturing the potential for economic growth these systems offer and tie the hands of law enforcement when it comes to protecting consumers online.”

Pointing to successful regulatory models in nearby states New Jersey and Delaware, he highlighted the corresponding increase in tax revenue and security technology that “has not only kept gaming safe within their borders, it has created a legal system where law enforcement can crack down on the fraud and any other illegal activity that currently runs rampant in the robust online black market.”

He continues: “In New York, we are considering bills to allow online poker; similar discussions are taking place among policymakers across the country. These proposals are responsible and reflect the very core of what we should be doing: leveraging business opportunities to help our state.

“In addition to the economic benefits, we should be identifying the best possible way to protect online consumers,” writes Pretlow. “Simply banning online gaming will protect no-one other than the criminals currently running a thriving online black market.

“Estimates show that one million consumers spend upwards of $3bn annually in this illegal overseas market, and our local and federal law enforcement officers are powerless to protect them from fraud and abuse.”

Stressing that “prohibition doesn’t work,” Pretlow said: “If we can find a way to promote economic growth and protect consumers, we should do it.

“New York, and every state, deserves to be able to determine what gaming exists within its borders and how it is regulated — we always have had that right and it defies logic that congress would step in now to undercut it.”

Source: RollCall.com