Nevada officials warn of offshore gambling’s impact on Las Vegas Strip
Nevada’s Attorney General Aaron Ford has stressed in a letter that illegal online gambling, which is estimated to generate US$400 billion in revenue yearly, has a major impact on Nevada’s casinos along the Las Vegas Strip.
Ford has joined attorneys general from several states and territories in urging the US Department of Justice to act against illegal online gambling, arguing that states could lose up to US$4 billion in potential tax revenue.
Ford called illegal online gaming “a danger to every jurisdiction” and mentioned it weakens regulated markets designed to protect consumers and communities.
The letter outlined steps for the Department of Justice, including blocking access to illegal sites under the Unlawful Gambling Enforcement Act, seizing assets such as domains and servers, and working with financial institutions to block related transactions.
The American Gaming Association also estimates that about 40% of US sports betting occurs through illegal sites.
Bill Miller, President and Chief Executive of the American Gaming Association, said, “All stakeholders – policymakers, law enforcement, regulators, legal businesses – must work together to root out the illegal and unregulated gambling market.”
Nevada’s chief economist, David Schmidt, also told The Center Square that the Strip’s casino industry has yet to fully recover to pre-recession levels, with the industry peaking in 2006.
Moreover, hotel occupancy, convention attendance, and passenger traffic at Harry Reid International Airport have all declined since June last year, highlighting the competitive threat posed by the growth of illegal online gambling.
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Charlotte Capewell brings her passion for storytelling and expertise in writing, researching, and the gambling industry to every article she writes. Her specialties include the US gambling industry, regulator legislation, igaming, and more.
