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Delaware AG Matthew Denn’s opinion it is the fact that DFS is a not a game of ability. At the very least, it isn’t the means we play it!
West Virginia and Delaware are two states that don’t have any plans to legalize fantasy that is daily in the future, and for two very different reasons. Two attorneys basic, 400 miles aside, have actually demonstrated two completely different opinions on the legality associated with the contests over the last days that are few.
On Monday, western Virginia’s AG ruled that there was no need to legalize DFS since it ended up being prominently a game of skill and therefore perfectly legal under West Virginia law.
‘We read state law to prohibit just betting upon games decided at minimum predominantly by chance,’ published Morrisey in his viewpoint. But DFS, he said ‘are determined predominantly by skill, knowledge, and athletic performance.’
Whether West Virginia will now move to regulate and tax the DFS industry, as its neighbor Virginia became the initial US state to complete at the start of the year, is needless to say a matter for the legislature.
Delaware Pulls the Plug
In stark contrast, Delaware pulled the plug on DFS a week ago, with its AG, Matthew Denn, ruling, perhaps more controversially, that the contests had been almost games of chance.
‘Relying on the Delaware Constitution, as well as State and Federal case legislation, DOJ attorneys determined that online fantasy contests that incorporate payment for playing and monetary rewards constitute gambling because chance, as opposed to experience, is the dominant element in the results of these contests,’ said Denn.
‘The most participants that are skilled lose much less skilled participants might win because of what actually takes place during the real-life game. In other words, real-life players are individual and behavior that is human unpredictable.
‘While it is recognized that particular individuals may use their particular recreations knowledge in selecting their fantasy players and otherwise participating such contests, that factor alone will not make the contests games of skill.’
Precursor to Regulation?
Denn said that he had written cease and desist letters to DFS sites operating in Delaware, including DraftKings, FanDuel and Yahoo. There has been no formal statement from any operator on the matter, nor any indication of whether they mean to comply.
Needless to say, the AG’s ruling would not preclude the legislature from passing a law to legalize and regulate DFS as time goes on; certainly, similar rulings from DA’s in other states have proved to be a catalyst for the passing such legislation, as had been the case in Tennessee and Mississippi earlier this year.
A bill to control DFS was introduced in the Delaware House at zero hour at the end of the legislative session on 30 June, but could was far too late be pushed through.
‘We are certain that numerous Delaware residents and visitors would enjoy participating within the full array of fantasy recreations competitions, including those that require payment for participation and have cash prizes,’ concluded Genn. ‘But until such competitions can legally be offered, the DOJ must enforce the law.’
RAWA Champion Chaffetz Grills AG Lynch, While Sanders Shocks with Clinton Endorsement
Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) was back at it on Capitol Hill this week, as the congressman continues to need answers concerning the FBI’s suggestion towards the Department of Justice (DOJ) not to prosecute Democratic contender that is presidential Clinton.
On July 6, FBI Director James Comey said Clinton’s use of a private email server while serving as secretary of state ended up being careless, but didn’t justify unlawful costs.
US Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) seen here at an earlier hearing using the FBI’s James Comey, grilled AG Loretta Lynch at a House Judiciary Commitee hearing on Tuesday about the legalities surrounding Hillary Clinton’s claims about her personal email server usage. Lynch largely avoided taking any stance whatsoever, visibly irritating Chaffetz. Representative Elijah Cummings (D- Maryland) sits to Chaffetz’ right. (Image: J. Scott Applewhite/AP)
Chaffetz is Las Vegas Sands Chairman Sheldon Adelson’s right-hand man in Congress. The representative introduced the Restoration of America’s Wire Act (RAWA) in the home to coincide with Sen. Lindsey Graham’s (R-South Carolina) legislation in the Senate.
RAWA seeks to bring back the Wire Act to its pre-2011 interpretation. Five years ago, the DOJ issued an opinion saying the Wire Act applied only to online activities betting, efficiently starting states to legalize Web casinos.
Chaffetz believes the DOJ had no right to unilaterally overhaul federal law. He also doesn’t believe the department is being candid in just how it is responding to Comey’s findings.
Pleading the Fifth
The morning after his agency recommended no charges against Clinton for storing classified emails on non-secure servers, Comey came across with all the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, of which Chaffetz is the chairman.
As he did with Comey, Chaffetz did his best to take full advantage of the five minutes he had with Attorney General Loretta Lynch on Tuesday although he didn’t have the luxury of as much interview time. As AG, Lynch is theoretically Comey’s boss, because the FBI is just a division regarding the DOJ.
But Lynch deflected one concern after another, much to your chagrin of the Utah congressman. The AG avoided giving answers that are specific Chaffetz’ ongoing assault of ‘Is it legal or unlawful?’
‘ Is it illegal or legal to generally share classified information with somebody who doesn’t have a security approval?’ the congressman asked Lynch. ‘Is it legal or illegal to give use of an individual who doesn’t have the necessity security clearance to view classified material? Could it be legal or illegal to keep, house, or retain classified information in a non-secure location?’
When Lynch consistently and repeatedly referred him to ‘statutes’ to clarify the standing that is legal any of these problems, Chaffetz’ frustration was numerous and unhidden.
‘The shortage of clarity you give this body is pretty that is stunnin . . My time has expired, If only I had about 20 more minutes,’ he noted.
Sanders Endorses Clinton
Utilizing the email scandal ( at the very least lawfully) behind her, Hillary Clinton has now gotten the nod that is official her former nemesis in Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.
‘Secretary Clinton has won the Democratic nomination,’ Sanders said in New Hampshire, standing alongside the former secretary of state and First Lady. ‘we intend to do everything I will to make certain she would be the next president of the United States.’
Republican nominee Donald Trump countered the announcement by straight away releasing an advertisement highlighting the times that are various said Clinton had been unfit to be president.
Bush and Obama Unite, for just One Brief Shining Minute
Meanwhile, a moment that is rare of involving the political events emerged on July 12 in Dallas. During a memorial service for the slain police officers ambushed on July 7, President Barack Obama and former President George W. Bush came together in an attempt to honor those killed with a crazed anti-law, anti-white gunman in an attack that is sniper
Obama told mourners, ‘As Americans, we could decide that people like this killer will ultimately fail. They shall not drive us apart. We can choose to come together and make our country reflect the nice inside us, the hopes and simple dreams we share.’
Before Obama, Bush discussed the selflessness of police officers everywhere.
‘Most of us that is amazing if the minute called because of it, we would risk our everyday lives to protect a spouse or a young child,’ the former president said. ‘Those wearing the uniform assume that risk for the safety of strangers [at all times].’
Further opinions about gun control and also the Black Lives question movement through the service from Obama drew critique from some segments, but, with many saying it was not the right destination or time and energy to address politically loaded issues.
Pennsylvania Online Gambling Bill Shelved Until Legislature Reconvenes This Fall
Billionaire and anti-Internet gambling proponent Sheldon Adelson is likely pleased to understand Pennsylvania online gambling will be delayed until at least the fall. (Image: Associated Press/ haaretz.com)
Pennsylvania on line gambling will be pushed aside in Harrisburg until the fall. That’s the outcome that is unfortunate iGambling proponents after lawmakers in the Keystone State labored over gambling expansion legislation for the final several months.
At 12:01 am on July 12, Governor Tom Wolf (D) allowed a budget that is bipartisan to become law without his signature. The $31.5 billion spending blueprint will increase paying for education and provide resources to combat the state’s heroin epidemic.
The issue that is primary how exactly to pay it off. Based on who’s counting, the appropriations bill creates a $1-2 billion shortfall.
Largely pushed by Republicans in the General Assembly, gambling expansion has been seen as one perfect untapped resource that could help pay for the program. Nevertheless the legislature is expected to adjourn for the summer and not reconvene until sometime this autumn.
Gambling on Hold
Led by State Rep. John Payne (R-District 106), the gambling expansion under consideration might have authorized off-track betting facilities and airports to house slot machines, regulate daily fantasy sports (DFS), and legalize on line gambling.
Current land-based casinos would function as only ones permitted to offer Internet gambling. Licenses were expected to cost operators $8 million, with gross gaming revenues taxed at 16 percent.
‘Regulating and taxing gaming that is interactive Pennsylvania is just a viable option that would benefit the state and our communities,’ Payne said in late June. ‘we must consider innovative income sources to fill our budget shortfall and keep our general public pension system solvent. before we ask the taxpayers to fork over more of these hard-earned cash,’
Gambling certainly won’t overcome the billion-dollar gap, nonetheless it would help.
Lawmakers estimate $100 million would be generated for Harrisburg in the year that is first mainly due to upfront licensing fees. Meaning five to 10 percent regarding the budget gap could be solved through gambling expansion.
State leaders are also targeting an extra $1 tax on each pack of cigarettes offered, imposing a six bondibet casino free spins percent income tax on digital entertainment downloads, and overhauling the state-run wine industry to allow private merchants to enter the market.
Spend Now, Spend Later
Anyone with credit cards knows how important it really is to pay on time. Unfortunately for residents in Pennsylvania, their leaders that are electedn’t as financially versed.
State Sen. Pat Browne (R-District 16), chairman of the state’s Senate Appropriations Committee, says action shall be forthcoming.
‘One hundred million bucks into the scope of a $31.5 billion budget . . . it is not needed right away,’ Browne told the Philadelphia Inquirer. The Lehigh County senator included, but, that the odds of online gambling being reconsidered this fall are ‘probable.’
Wolf was justly upset that the General Assembly don’t send him a way that is calculated spend because of its budget.
‘The General Assembly has a constitutional obligation to pass a sustainable revenue package to pay for what they want to pay,’ Wolf stated this week. ‘We owe it to taxpayers, our children, seniors, and our many vulnerable to bring this across the finish line.’
Quebec ISP Blocking Challenged by Federal Customer Rights Group
Quebec’s plan to block online gambling internet site faces a challenge it is in direct conflict with federal law. (Image: gamingintelligence.com)
Quebec’s intends to force ISP’s to block access to gambling that is unlicensed being put to the test by a federal consumer rights group. The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) this week filed an objection to a law, passed by the Quebec legislature earlier in the year, which aims to disconnect 8.2 million residents from the markets that are unregulated.
The bill’s supporters declare that its aim is to ‘improve public wellness’ by forcing state residents to play on Quebec’s sole regulated online gaming web site, Lotto-Quebec’s Espace-jeux.
But critics, which include net neutrality advocates, technology lawyers, as well as the ISPs themselves, have accused the Quebec federal government of setting a dangerous precedent by putting commercial gain above the freedom of this internet. The plans, that have been used in the provinces March 2015 budget predict the scheme shall boost federal government revenues by $13.5 million in 2016-2017 and $27 million in subsequent years.
Cost to Consumers
These gains will come at the huge expense of ISP companies, that have stated that the disruption to their infrastructures could be enormous while they would have to redesign their networks from the ground up. The cost of this could be passed onto consumers.
The PIAC filing states that Quebec is in direct conflict with the1993 Federal Telecommunications Act, which prohibits a communications provider from ‘control[ing] the information or influence[ing] the meaning or purpose of telecommunications carried unless it has approval from the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission by it for the public.