Antigua and Barbuda is optimistic that a Donald Trump Administration could finally lead to the end of a decade-long online gaming dispute with the United States. According to a report from the Jamaica Observer, the island nation’s Governor General, Sir Rodney Williams, believes that Trump will move to resolve the matter in a way that’s satisfactory to his government. “My government believes that the new administration that is about to take office will recognize the lawfulness and justness of our actions and will quickly settle the differences that have kept our negotiators apart,” Williams said prior to Trump’s inauguration. “Hopefully…

Some powerful folks in the American casino world are betting on Donald Trump fast-forwarding the push toward legalized sports gambling in this country. In his year-end conference call with reporters, Geoff Freeman, president of the pro-casino American Gaming Association (AGA) trade group, said Trump’s firsthand business experience within the gaming industry bodes well for a repeal of a federal law barring sports betting in most states. “With regards to sports betting, I think that we are entering a perfect storm,’’ Freeman said. Freeman cited interest among television broadcasters and individual team owners in repealing the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports…

Attorney General Adam Laxalt has signed onto a letter to the Trump administration asking the president-elect to squash web gaming, a position favored by major Laxalt donor Sheldon Adelson but one opposed by Gov. Brian Sandoval and Nevada’s top gaming regulator. The letter , which was put on Twitter by the Poker Players Alliance, was addressed to Vice President-elect Mike Pence, who has a generally anti-gaming bent and the transition team. It asks for the incoming administration to reinterpret The Wire Act, now being debated, to ensure Internet gaming is prohibited. “The risks to our citizens are real and extensive,”…

Donald Trump’s presidential campaign has a new communications coordinator, and for those of us in the gaming industry the name will definitely ring a bell. The presumptive nominee of the Republican Party has named Michael Abboud as his new communications coordinator. If the surname sounds familiar it’s because Michael Abboud is the nephew of Las Vegas Sands Vice President of Government Relations, Andy Abboud. Andy Abboud is considered one of Sheldon Adelson’s top lieutenants, and the face of the casino magnate’s anti-online gambling movement.  Michael Abboud is also the son of former Nebraska State Senator Chris Abboud. Andy Abboud has…