GOP Candidates Backs Adelson Anti-Online Campaign

Las Vegas Chairman and billionaire Sheldon Adelson has personally financed an anti-online gambling campaign in the United States and now two GOP presidential candidates have backed Adelson’s anti-online gambling campaign.

Republican senator Lindsey Graham has put together a four page bill that looks to re-introduce the Restoration of America’s Wire Act. The bill which was submitted to the U.S. Senate was backed by fellow Republican senator and Graham’s challenger Marco Rubio.

Currently only New Jersey, Nevada and Delaware offer online gambling services in the United States and there are reportedly ten more states who are considering the possibility of legalizing online gambling.

If the Senator Graham’s bill was to get approval, then New Jersey, Nevada and Delaware will be forced to shutdown their online gambling operations. The online gambling industry generates significant amount of revenue for the state in the form of gambling taxes but there have always been concerns about regulating and monitoring the online gambling industry.

Sheldon Adelson will be delighted to know that two GOP presidential hopefuls have shared his view on the issue of online gambling in America. It is interesting to note that Adelson has strong political connections with the Republican party and is also one of the biggest donors to the Republican presidential campaign. Adelson made donations to Graham’s Senate reelection campaign in 2014 and also co-chaired a fundraiser for Graham during February 2015.

The bill was introduced to the U.S Senate during the funeral services of the victims of the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. John Pappas, the director of the Poker Players Alliance expressed his disappointment at Senator Graham’s timing and the fact that the Republican presidential hopefuls were trying to ban online gambling.

Pappas released a statement which 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.

Senator Graham’s bill was also endorsed by other influential senators including Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H.; Sen. Dan Coats, R-Ind and Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah.