Over 90 Percent Of Conservatives Oppose Sheldon Adelson's Quest To Ban Online PokerPoll At Top Conservative Conference Finds Overwhelming Opposition |
|
.jpg)
The online poker ban from Sheldon Adelson, a man with a net worth of $31 billion, has always been a long shot, but a recent poll has thrown some ice cold water onto the infamous proposal.
At the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) held late last month just outside the nation’s capital, a poll found that 91 percent of conservatives in attendance oppose the Adelson-funded efforts to ban internet poker on the federal level.
Adelson in 2013 pledged to “spend whatever it takes” to thwart this form of competition to his casino company, which is the largest of its kind in the world in terms of revenue.
Several of Adelson’s rivals have launched online gaming products in the states where it’s currently regulated. A handful of additional states are looking at legalization in 2017.
The poll results from the Institute for Liberty were first reported by The Hill.
The poll didn’t include liberals who oppose Adelson, a major Republican donor. CPAC is the largest conservative conference in the world. A vast majority of attendees also see RAWA has violating states’ rights, a hallmark of conservatism.
“Conservatives see RAWA for what it is—one of the worst forms of crony capitalism in Congress today," said Andrew Langer, the President of the Institute for Liberty.
“RAWA is nothing short of an effort by one of the richest men in the world to ban a form of competition for his brick and mortar casino empire—and everyone knows it. Worse yet, he is even willing to trample on the Constitution to do it.”
Langer added that RAWA is a “Vegas-purchased onslaught on liberty.”
Several legislative attempts have hit Congress over recent years, but none have gained any steam. A hearing on RAWA had a truly embarrassing hearing for its few supporters in late 2015.
What could be more likely is U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions attempting to reverse the current interpretation of the 1961 Wire Act. It’s not clear if that would work, as many states, including ones with internet lottery sales, would likely sue the federal government.
It’s also worth noting that as Pennsylvania readies itself for legalizing online casinos, Adelson’s Keystone State casino has found a potential buyer.
Copyright © 2001-2024
CardPlayer.com. All rights reserved.
