2012 -- H 8174

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LC02652

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N

MEMORIALIZING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO SUPPORT PASSAGE OF

HOUSE RESOLUTION 3797

     

     

     Introduced By: Representatives San Bento, Kennedy, McCauley, Flaherty, and Carnevale

     Date Introduced: May 17, 2012

     Referred To: House Finance

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     WHEREAS, Since January 1st of 1993, the federal “Professional and Amateur Sports

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Protection Act,” 28 U.S.C. §§ 3701 et seq., has prohibited states and local governments from

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authorizing sports wagering; and

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     WHEREAS, Under the terms of the federal law, Delaware, Nevada, Montana, and

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Oregon are the only states where sports wagering is legally permitted, and this activity has

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resulted in substantial direct and indirect revenues to those state’s economies; and

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     WHEREAS, On January 23rd of 2012, H.R. 3797 entitled the “Sports Gaming

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Opportunity Act of 2012” was introduced in the United States Congress; and  

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     WHEREAS, If enacted, this legislation would amend chapter 178 of title 28 of the United

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States Code entitled, the “Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act,” to permit any state to

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enact statutes by January 1st of 2016, that would exempt certain lotteries, sweepstakes, and other

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betting, gambling, or wagering schemes involving professional and amateur sports from the

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operation of this chapter; and

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     WHEREAS, The current federal sports wagering ban has not been effective in curbing

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illegal sport gambling.  Lifting the ban on sports wagering would allow state gaming enforcement

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agencies to properly regulate and police this activity; and

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     WHEREAS, Amending the federal ban and opening a window of opportunity to legalize

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sports wagering would significantly benefit the State of Rhode Island by generating considerable

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revenues; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island and Providence

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Plantations hereby respectfully urges the United States Congress to support passage of House

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Resolution 3797 in order to allow Rhode Island to enact statues that would exempt certain forms

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of betting, gambling, and wagering involving professional and amateur sports; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation.

     

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LC02652

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H8174