Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skulmetti, alongside 49 other Attorney Generals from every state, has urged the U.S. Department of Justice to take action against the rise of illegal offshore gaming operations across the nation.

In a letter directed to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Utah’s Attorney General Derek Brown, part of this bipartisan group, expressed concern over how these foreign-run online sports betting platforms pose risks to residents in all 50 states.

“Since 2013, the enforcement against these illegal sites by the DOJ has been fairly minimal,” he remarked. “We’re asking for the DOJ to work with us, utilizing effective legal measures to tackle these illegal enterprises.”

The letter outlined that the DOJ can confiscate assets like servers and domains that breach federal law, referencing actions taken in prior fraud cases.

Moreover, the attorneys suggested that the department collaborate with payment processors to deny these companies access to the U.S. financial system.

“Both Visa and MasterCard are already willing to look into and address the misuse of their networks for gambling transactions,” the letter noted. “We should leverage this readiness to close down these illegal offshore gambling ventures.”

This type of activity can expose vulnerable individuals to fraud and gambling addiction, which often goes unchecked, the letter warned, linking it to broader criminal activities.

“Illegal offshore gaming operations are hotbeds for criminal actions, including money laundering and human trafficking. These businesses regularly violate Utah laws and put consumers in jeopardy,” Brown stated. “We can take steps against these foreign entities that disrupt our community, encourage gambling addiction, and endanger Utah residents.”