50 Attorneys General Demand DOJ Action Against Illegal Offshore Gambling

Attorneys General Call on DOJ to Combat Offshore Gambling

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, together with the attorneys general from 49 other states and territories, has called upon the US Attorney General and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to take swift and firm action against the rise of illegal offshore online gambling operations targeting US consumers.

Joint Appeal for Legal and Financial Intervention

In a collective letter, these 50 attorneys general urged the DOJ to seek injunctive relief and proceed with the seizure of domain names involved in unlawful gambling activities, under the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. They also requested the DOJ to use its authority under federal law (18 U.S.C. A7 1955(d)) to confiscate assets, servers, and profits tied to these illicit operations. Furthermore, the attorneys general emphasized the importance of collaborating with banks and payment processors to disrupt illegal financial transactions and dismantle the funding networks supporting these offshore gambling enterprises.

Impacts and Concerns Raised by Attorney General Bailey

Attorney General Bailey highlighted the detrimental impact of these illegal offshore platforms, which redirect billions of dollars away from US communities. He pointed out that these operators take advantage of vulnerable users, lack proper licensing, do not provide consumer protections, fail to verify the age of participants, and evade tax obligations. Bailey urged the DOJ to vigorously employ all available legal tools to shut down these illegal gambling sites.

Commitment to Cooperative Enforcement

The attorneys general concluded their message by emphasizing the need for prioritizing enforcement efforts against illegal offshore gambling. They also expressed their willingness to cooperate closely with the DOJ to safeguard residents and ensure the enforcement of federal and state laws.

Risks Posed by Offshore Gambling Operators

Unregulated offshore gambling websites, typically run by foreign companies, pose serious risks for at-risk populations and threaten the economic health of states. Operating outside US jurisdiction, they often ignore state licensing requirements and fail to offer consumer safeguards. These sites commonly do not verify users’ ages, potentially exposing minors to unsafe gambling practices. Moreover, they openly flout state gambling laws and regulations.

Economic and Criminal Consequences

Because offshore operators are based outside the country, they avoid paying state and federal taxes, causing significant financial losses for American communities. Estimates reveal that illegal online gambling generates over $400 billion annually, resulting in more than $4 billion in lost tax revenue for state governments. Beyond the economic harm, these unlawful sites undermine legitimate, state-regulated gaming industries and are linked to serious crimes such as money laundering, human trafficking, and organized crime networks.