Republican presidential candidates move to ban online gambling

Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware are the only states that currently permit online gambling. There are reportedly another ten states who are currently considering the possibility of legalizing online gambling in order to benefit from the significant revenue the online gambling industry generates. California is one of these ten states and will most likely make a decision before the end of the year.

As the time draws nearer for the U.S. presidential election, the Republican presidential candidates have made their views on online gambling clear by introducing legislation that would ban online gambling in the United States. The bill was introduced to the U.S. Senate by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C and was backed by presidential challenger Marco Rubio.

Las Vegas Chairman and billionaire Sheldon Adelson has actively campaigned against the legalization of online gambling in the United States and has gone on record to state that he would invest out of his personal wealth to finance an anti-online gambling campaign. Adelson who is known to have strong political connection will be delighted to know that the presidential candidates running for elections subscribe to his views.

The new legislation passed by Senator Graham looks to re-introduce the restoration of America’s wire act. If the bill gets approved, then Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware will have to shutdown their online gambling websites. The bill was also backed by Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H.; Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah; Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C and Sen. Dan Coats, R-Ind.

The bill was introduced by Senator Graham at around the same time the funeral service for the victims of the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina commenced.  Poker Players Alliance director John Pappas was extremely critical of Senator Graham and his timing in introducing the anti-online gambling bill.

In a statement, Pappas said “”As the eyes of the nation are focused on South Carolina following the recent tragic event, I think I speak for most Americans when I express profound disappointment in Senator Graham for choosing this time to advance a bill for the sole benefit of a billionaire political donor. The Congress made the decision to adjourn early so they could attend services on Friday in Senator Graham’s home state. Unfortunately, Senator Graham has not reset his priorities and picked a very unfortunate time to engage in the Internet gaming debate.”

The MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment Corp backed Coalition for Consumer and Online Protection Group also expressed their disappointment with the new bill and stated that it was sad to see Senator Graham carrying out Sheldon Adleson’s agenda.