Nevada Attorney General Brian Sandoval has joined 28 other attorneys general to protest the World Trade Organization decision lifting restrictions on Internet gambling.
WTO ruled gambling should be treated as a recreational service. A letter to U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman says he should have done more to stop that ruling.
Following the WTO decision, the Caribbean island of Antigua requested open access for its Internet gambling services to everyone in the United States, regardless of state laws prohibiting Internet gambling.
The letter from the attorneys general urges Portman to withdraw gambling from the trade agreement. It says the trade organization could stop all gambling regulation in the country including controls on casinos, slot machines, state lotteries and Indian gaming rights.
Jim Spencer, representing Sandoval's office, said the National Association of Attorneys General should comment in any such agreements.
"We're concerned that without input from the attorneys general, U.S. trade representatives could usurp oversight of services currently regulated by the states," he said.
n Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.
