Nearly all Pennsylvania casinos, and a number of key legislators, are principally united in support of online gaming. But those hoping to cross the regulatory bridge must first contend with an imposing foe: Sheldon Adelson. And backed by the casino magnate’s estimated $28 billion fortune, an oppositional campaign is already underway in the state. Sands Bethlehem boss Mark Juliano testified recently at a hearing of Senator Kim Ward’s Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee. Echoing Adelson’s opposition, Juliano sharply criticized regulatory efforts. “Today, proposals are being considered which will erode the successful progress we have made in Pennsylvania,” said Juliano,…

A bill that would have limited future online gaming compacts between Nevada and other regulated states in the US has failed to progress from the committee. Backed by Sheldon Adelson, Bill AB 414 would have blocked Nevada from linking up with another state for online gaming activities, with the exception of internet poker. Nevada already shares online poker activities with Delaware, one of only two other regulated states in the US. Although the piece of legislation did pass Nevada’s Assembly in April with a vote of 23-17, with two excused, the Senate Judiciary Committee has opted against moving it forward…

Online Poker News – Sheldon Adelson’s stance against online poker is no secret by now, and his strong and very rich opinion has some people nervous. Adelson, CEO of Las Vegas Sands, makes it very clear just how far he’s willing to go to “protect” the US from online gambling. He’s threatened to “spend whatever it takes” on his anti-Internet gambling cause and in January of this year, he formed the Coalition to Stop Internet Gambling. Adelson’s argument against online poker and online gambling is that it is morally wrong, preying on underage gamblers and other vulnerable sectors of society,…

Card Player – Online poker players, especially those in California, have a new enemy. Willie Brown, the former mayor of San Francisco (1996-2004) and previously a California legislator, said last week that he is joining billionaire Las Vegas casino owner Sheldon Adelson in the latter’s quest to stop online gaming in the United States, the Los Angeles Times reported. Brown’s commitment to the Coalition to Stop Internet Gambling is perplexing because of Brown’s previous work to support online poker legalization in the Golden State. Brown said he is the new national co-chair and California chair of Adelson’s coalition. “There are…

Washington Post – Politicians supporting Sheldon Adelson’s proposed online gambling ban claim to want to protect the poor and children and to prevent crime. But if they truly cared about these issues rather than getting in Mr. Adelson’s good graces, they would reject such a ban. A ban on a good or service for which there is demand simply pushes people into the black market, creating a host of unintended consequences that make consumers less safe. Dozens of other countries have had legal online gambling for decades with few negative consequences. And there are many technological methods for verifying a…

Bloomberg – To bring Las Vegas-style gambling to Florida, casino operators like Sheldon Adelson are sending more than 100 lobbyists to the state Capitol to battle their biggest adversary: Mickey Mouse. The clash pits casino operators Genting Bhd. (GENT) and Las Vegas Sands Corp. (LVS), controlled by billionaire Adelson, against Walt Disney Co. (DIS), which runs theme parks and resorts near Orlando, and may face new competition for convention business. Companies on both sides of the dispute are sending lobbyists and campaign checks to Florida lawmakers, who say they’ll consider expanding gambling this year. A state-commissioned study found that full-service…