Removing Federal Barriers to Offering of Mobile Wagers on Indian Lands Act

Removing Federal Barriers to Offering of Mobile Wagers on Indian Lands Act

This bill establishes provisions related to the regulation of certain online wagers (i.e., bets) as Indian gaming.

The bill deems an online wager as occurring exclusively on Indian lands, and therefore subject to the jurisdictional framework that governs Indian gaming, if (1) the person placing the wager and the server that accepts the wager are located in the same state, and (2) the applicable state and Indian tribe have entered into a gaming compact.

For the purposes of regulation as Indian gaming, an online wager is deemed to be made at the physical location of the server or other computer equipment used to accept the wager, unless otherwise agreed to by the state and Indian tribe.

Bill 117 HR 4308, also known as the Removing Federal Barriers to Offering of Mobile Wagers on Indian Lands Act, aims to address restrictions on mobile sports betting on Native American lands. The bill seeks to amend the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to allow tribes to offer mobile sports betting to patrons located on tribal lands.

Currently, federal law prohibits tribes from offering mobile sports betting, limiting their ability to generate revenue and compete with other gaming establishments. This bill would remove these barriers and empower tribes to capitalize on the growing popularity of mobile wagering.

Supporters of the bill argue that it will not only benefit tribes economically but also promote tribal sovereignty and self-determination. By allowing tribes to offer mobile sports betting, they can create new opportunities for economic development and job creation within their communities. Opponents of the bill raise concerns about the potential negative impacts of expanded gambling, such as addiction and social problems. They also question whether tribes have the necessary regulatory framework in place to oversee mobile sports betting effectively. Overall, the Removing Federal Barriers to Offering of Mobile Wagers on Indian Lands Act is a contentious piece of legislation that highlights the complex relationship between tribal sovereignty, economic development, and gambling regulation. Its passage would have significant implications for Native American tribes and the broader gaming industry.