Bono Mack says DOJ memo has muddied waters for online gambling

The Department of Justice's recent reversal on the Wire Act and interstate betting has created considerable uncertainty for the legal future of online gambling, according to House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Manufacturing Chairwoman Mary Bono Mack (R-CA).

The Department of Justice released a ruling last month clarifying that the Wire Act’s ban on interstate transactions related to gambling applies only to sports betting, opening the door for states to offer online gaming to their citizens. Bono Mack's subcommittee held several hearings on legalizing online gaming last year and has been considering a bill from Rep Joe Barton (R-TX) that would legalize and regulate online poker at the federal level. She told reporters the most likely next step is a hearing featuring the DOJ and other law enforcement officials during a preview of the subpanel's 2012 agenda.