Residents Could See Stronger Crackdown on Illegal Online Gambling Under Proposed DOJ Push

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Per a press release from the Office of Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, a bipartisan coalition of 50 attorneys general is calling on the U.S. Department of Justice to ramp up enforcement against illegal offshore gambling operations. The group argues that foreign-run online gaming sites are causing widespread harm to consumers and state economies, including Maryland, and are urging federal authorities to take more aggressive action.

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The coalition sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi highlighting how illegal online sports betting and gaming platforms are bypassing state regulations. These platforms, typically operated by foreign entities, often fail to verify users’ age or identity, neglect consumer protections, ignore state boundaries, and avoid paying taxes. State officials warn that such operations expose users to fraud, encourage addictive behavior, and facilitate illegal activity such as money laundering and human trafficking.

The estimated scale of these illicit operations exceeds $400 billion annually, according to the coalition, translating to more than $4 billion in lost state tax revenue nationwide. Maryland and other states are concerned not only about lost revenue but also about public safety and consumer vulnerability, especially among younger residents and vulnerable adults.

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To combat the issue, the attorneys general are urging the DOJ to utilize legal tools such as injunctive relief under the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, asset seizures of illegal operators’ servers and financial proceeds, and partnerships with financial institutions to block transactions related to offshore gambling. They also stress the need for coordination between federal and state agencies to dismantle these operations more effectively. No significant federal enforcement action has occurred in this area since 2013, prompting the renewed call for intervention.

Attorney General Brown’s participation places Maryland among a vast coalition of U.S. jurisdictions—including neighboring states like Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia—pressing for federal support in safeguarding residents and recovering lost public funds.

Article by multiple contributors, based upon information from the Office of Maryland Attorney General

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