Bugsy Siegel never had to deal with an Internet gambling ban. He opened the Flamingo Hotel in 1946 and launched the Las Vegas Strip, and gambling has held a tenuous position in American life ever since. Now that casinos have spread nationwide and allegedly shed their mafia ties, a new branch of the industry is fighting for legitimacy. Some countries regulate online gambling, like the United Kingdom. Some ban everything, including gambling advertising. Las Vegas based casinos and overseas operators have begun an all-out battle, hoping for an Internet gambling ban. nationwide but carries with it the promise of billions…

Sheldon Adelson, the billionaire head of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, made an appearance in Asia recently to ask the government of Singapore for additional land in order to expand his casino resort there by roughly 60%, the Jewish Business News has reported. The plans Mr. Adelson laid out include making space for an additional 1,500 rooms at the Marina Bay Sands, which currently has about 2,500 rooms. Extra space was also requested for meeting rooms, exhibitions and ballrooms. According to the Jewish Business News, Sheldon Adelson said “we need more rooms,” and added that the hotel is “running at…

The New Yorker – The casino billionaire and Republican kingmaker Sheldon Adelson met several 2016 G.O.P. candidates available for purchase over the weekend, but decided to buy none of them, Adelson confirmed today. After hearing speeches by Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, and several others who were for sale, Mr. Adelson concluded that none of them are worth owning. “I don’t want to spend millions on another loser,” said Adelson, who purchased both Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney in 2012. The casino magnate was scathing in his assessment of the candidates…

AP – Three Republican governors who weren’t invited to GOP super donor Sheldon Adelson’s political gathering in Las Vegas this week are nonetheless trumpeting their agreement with him against Internet gambling. Govs. Rick Perry of Texas and Nikki Haley of South Carolina have submitted letters in recent days to congressional leaders stating that gambling in the virtual world compromises the ability of states to control gambling within their borders. Weeks earlier, Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana wrote that he would do everything he could to stop Internet gambling from spreading in his state. Each of the governors’ missives is highlighted…

Huffington Post – One of Republicans’ top fundraisers is bringing on a former Democratic senator as a lobbyist for his casino. Roll Call reported Friday that Sheldon Adelson has hired the Lincoln Policy group, Blanche Lincoln’s government consulting firm, to lobby for his Las Vegas Sands corporation. Politico adds that the Lincoln move is to help Adelson with his campaign against online gambling. Back in December 2013, Forbes reported that the casino mogul said he will do “whatever it takes” to stop the Internet dealings. Lincoln served in the House from 1993-96 and Senate from 1999-2010. She ran for reelection…

Poker News – There are rumors going around Washington, D.C., that Sen. Lindsey Graham may finally introduce the Sheldon Adelson-backed bill looking to strengthen The Wire Act to ban all forms of Internet gambling next week, according to Poker Players Alliance executive director John Pappas. Politico.com also reported sources working on the issue saying Graham could introduce his bill as soon as next week. It has been more than three weeks since news leaked that Adelson, chairman and CEO of Las Vegas Sands, had found a taker for his hypocritical pet project in Graham, a Republican from South Carolina. So…