A group of state lawmakers said Thursday they oppose legislation to reinstate the online game ban.

In a letter to congressional leaders, the National Conference of State Legislatures says the group is strongly opposed to the American Restoration Act, proposed last month by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Republican Representative Jason Chapets.

Senators Bruce Starr of Oregon, the group's current president, and Debbie Smith of Nevada, the current president-elect, said in a letter that Congress must "respect the sovereignty of the state" when deciding whether to participate in the online game.

"States have proven that they are effective regulators of the gambling industry, and the bill's proponents have failed to make the case that we have neglected our responsibilities to the industry and to consumers," the letter said. "This attempt to enact an outright ban on online gambling with the U.S. Wired Recovery Act is merely a problem-seeking solution."

The bill seeks to revive a federal law to ban "all forms of internet gambling." The bill came in response to the Justice Department's opinion in December 2011 that the Interstate Propaganda Act of 1961 only applies to sports gambling.

That changed things dramatically, and prompted moves by states and casino stakeholders and technology vendors to pioneer online markets. Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware have legalized the form of online games played within the states. Some 10 states are considering legalizing the games.

The letter said that states, including Utah and Maine, have taken steps to ban online games.

"This is how states make decisions that best suit the needs of their residents, not through congressional delegation," the letter says.

The bill does not contain a grandfather clause that allows Nevada, New Jersey or Delaware to continue to offer online games, which would halt the recent online poker game combination agreement between Nevada and Delaware.

Those states and all other states should be approved by Congress.

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval has expressed opposition to the bill.

The Graham-Chaffetz bill tracks the goals of billionaire Las Vegas casino owner Sheldon Adelson, who has funded lobbying campaigns to stem the growth of online gaming and restart everywhere possible in Washington and several states.

The initial draft of the online gambling ban, circulated on Capitol Hill, was written by a registered lobbyist for Adelson's company, Las Vegas Sands.  에볼루션 바카라사이트