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Despite Rumors Of Epic Flip-Flop, Adelson Reportedly Hasn't Changed Mind On Web Gambling

Casino Boss Remains A Notorious Opponent To Online Poker

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Internet rumors swirled over the weekend that Las Vegas Sands Corp. owner Sheldon Adelson had reversed his anti-web poker position. However, those reports are false, according to a person who has been covering Adelson for quite some time.

Prominent Las Vegas reporter Jon Ralston Tweeted Saturday: “Yes, people often get stuff wrong on the Internet. Adelson folks tell me he is as committed as ever vs. web poker.”

In June, Adelson penned an editorial for Forbes, in which he said online gambling could bring a “plague” “to our society.” He finished the op-ed by calling the business a “toxin.”

Las Vegas Sands is one of the largest casino developers in the world. The firm makes most of its money from its Asia casino interests, but also does very well on the Las Vegas Strip.

Adelson is an outcast when it comes to his position on Internet gambling. Most, if not all, other Nevada commercial casino developers support the business of bringing games to cyberspace.

The 80-year-old has always cited a fear of underage gambling when he talks about iGaming.

So far, three states in the United States have legalized the activity. They are Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware. There have been efforts to authorize the business nationwide, but Adelson has come out in opposition of such measures on Capitol Hill.

Currently, there are two federal online gambling bills up for consideration, but both face extremely long odds. A state-by-state patchwork is far more likely.