Revote on bill in Rhode Island to decriminalize online gambling for individuals under the age of 21
Title: Rhode Island's Controversial Online Gaming Age Limit Chaos
Share this article It's been a tumultuous week in Rhode Island as a controversial plan to reevaluate a defeated bill aims to criminalize online gaming for those under 21 years old.
The bill, originally rejected by the House Judiciary Committee on April 22, stirred a fuss when it was brought back to the table for reconsideration on April 30. The revote resulted in a 10-5 approval in favor of the bill, sponsored by Rep. Gregory Costantino. This legislation proposes penalties of up to one year in prison and a $1,000 fine for underage online gambling.
This bill has sparked concerns, especially since Rhode Island's brick-and-mortar casinos allow individuals as young as 18 to gamble. The discrepancy in age limits between physical casinos and online platforms presents a unique conundrum among states with iGaming.
Both the ACLU of Rhode Island and the public defender's office raised these concerns at an earlier hearing on the legislation. Their concerns were echoed by Rep. Cherie Cruz and others, leading to the initial rejection of the bill.
Critics argue that the bill targets 'phone-addicted youths' without addressing the root causes of online gaming issues. Instead, they advocate for civil fines and education as a more suitable solution.
As the bill moves forward to the full House floor for a vote, the Rhode Island State Police, headed by Col. Darnell Weaver, remain steadfast in their support for the legislation, citing it as a deterrent, despite lingering debates about its necessity and fairness.
- The proposed legislation in Rhode Island, aimed at criminalizing online gaming for individuals under 21 years old, has sparked concerns following its unexpected reconsideration.
- The ACLU of Rhode Island and the public defender's office raised concerns about the bill, questioning the discrepancy in age limits between physical casinos and online platforms.
- Critics of the bill argue that it unfairly targets 'phone-addicted youths' without addressing the root causes of online gaming issues, advocating instead for civil fines and education as a more suitable solution.
- Despite ongoing debates about its necessity and fairness, the Rhode Island State Police, led by Col. Darnell Weaver, remain steadfast in their support for the controversial bill.
