Las Vegas Sands Chairman Sheldon Adelson Opposes Legalized Online PokerCasino Chairman Believes Technology Can't Prevent Underage Gambling |
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According to the Las Vegas Review Journal, Las Vegas Sands Chairman Sheldon Adelson is morally opposed to the federal legislation of online poker, and doesn’t believe the proper technology is in place to prevent underage gambling.
Adelson’s personal viewpoint is a stark contrast from that of his fellow casino industry colleagues, who feel that online poker should be licensed and regulated in the United States.
The billionaire casino mogul has been a long-time supporter of the Republican party having made sizable contributions to Republican candidates in the past, including Arizona Senator Jon Kyl, who was a major supporter of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006.
The 78-year-old’s now defunct lobbying group Freedom’s Watch spent a reported $30 million on the 2007-2008 election cycle for Republican candidates.
In August, the New York Post reported that Adelson was on board with federal legislation,.
The LVRJ also states that Adelson visited the offices of the American Gaming Association recently to discuss his concerns.
The lobbying organization confirmed the visit, but also countered by saying that it wants Congress to revisit the Wire Act of 1961 in an effort to amend the UIGEA.
“Such action would preserve the right of states to allow or disallow online companies to offer online poker to their residents and, at the same time, ensure a consistent national regulatory and legal framework,” said AGA President Frank Fahrenkopf Jr. “It would protect millions of U.S. consumers already playing poker online, keep children from gambling on the internet, and provide the tools law enforcement needs to shut down illegal online operators.”
Las Vegas Sands President Mike Leven currently serves as a member of the AGA’s board of directors. Las Vegas Sands owns properties in Pennsylvania, Singapore and the booming gambling destination of Macau, as well as the Las Vegas-based properties Palazzo and the Venetian Resort and Casino.
While other Strip casino properties have already formed potential partnerships with online poker operators should web poker become regulated, Las Vegas Sands has not.
A company spokesman has stated that the casino’s board of directors has not yet addressed the issue.
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