Coalition Formed Against Online Gambling

In Spain, Las Vegas Sands Corporation Head Sheldon Adelson demands that punters be allowed to smoke in casinos. In the United States, he establishes a coalition to prevent the legalization of online gambling.

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Las Vegas Sands Corporation Head Sheldon Adelson has announced that he kicks off the Coalition to Stop Internet Gambling (CSIG) next January with the aim of preventing the federal and state level regulation of online gambling in the USA.

"In my 15 years of working with him, I don't think I have ever seen him this passionate about any issue," Adelson’s political advisor Andy Abboud said, adding that about two dozens of employees are already working on setting his plans into motion.

According to the Washington Post, Adelson joins forces with three well known politicians in the leadership of the CSIG. He will be accompanied by Denver Mayor Wellington Webb, former Senator Blanche Lincoln and former Governor of the State of New York George Pataki. Pataki is expected to emphasise the risks of money laundering and fraud; Lincoln the dangers of online gambling to minors and families; and Webb to warn the governors and mayors of the dangers of loss of income, as tax players will be subject to going bankrupt if they are allowed to play from their phones and other devices – or so they say.

Even prior to the official launch of the Coalition, Adelson and his partners are already working to further their agenda. They have already met a number of congress people and they have allegedly prepared a bill to stop the legalisation processes all over the USA. If it passes, even states that have a regulated market would have to discontinue online gambling.

Poker Players Alliance Head John Pappas considers Adelson a serious threat to online poker but he hopes the Coalition would not prevail.

"This effort will be met with stiff opposition. I think that states, lotteries, and other gaming interests will rally to oppose this. But the most important voice in all of this will be the players and I hope that everyone will recognize this serious threat and will stand ready to defend their rights," Pappas said.

Billionaire Adelson has been previously known to attack online poker. In June, he stated that “the plague (that online gaming) could bring to our society is even more far-reaching. The possibility of underage children finding ways to place online wagers and the potential of people betting under the influence of drugs or being coerced are all scenarios that can happen. When gambling is available in every bedroom, every dorm room, and every office space, there will be no way to fully determine that each wager has been placed in a rational and consensual manner.”

In general, most members of the online community conclude that Adelson is simply afraid of online gambling and fears losing money over the legalisation of online gambling. He is also notable for his stubborn way of demanding Spain to allow smoking in casinos, which is an issue around the building of EuroVegas near Madrid. To satisfy him, the Spanish government would have to change the laws of the country.