Adelson to fight Internet gambling
Sheldon Adelson
American billionaire casino magnate Sheldon Adelson is trying to persuade Congress to ban internet betting, with critics arguing that Adelson’s effort is aimed at controlling his rivals using the Internet as a way to make more profit.
Adelson’s record-breaking campaign spending in 2012 made him an icon of the new super-donor era. He is best known for building upscale casino resorts in Nevada and more recently in Asia.
The billionaire argues that the online gambling is a danger to society and could tarnish the industry’s traditional business model, The Washington Post reported. Adelson is preparing a public campaign to portray online gambling as a danger to children, the poor and others who could be exploited by easy access to Internet betting, the Post added.
His competitors however, disagree. Rival firms view Adelson’s initiative as a major threat saying the billionaire’s push against Internet gambling is related to his business.
Adelson has already hired lobbyists and public relations experts to press his case in Washington and in state capitals nationwide.
“In my 15 years of working with him, I don’t think I have ever seen him this passionate about any issue,” the Post quoted Andy Abboud, Adelson’s top political adviser, as saying.
Adelson has about two dozen experts working nearly full time on the issue.
A coalition of advocacy groups, representing women, African Americans and Hispanics, are expected to start a campaign in January against online betting.
Three US states have moved to legalize online gambling, and over a dozen others are expected to consider it next year.
ARA/ARA
Sheldon Adelson
American billionaire casino magnate Sheldon Adelson is trying to persuade Congress to ban internet betting, with critics arguing that Adelson’s effort is aimed at controlling his rivals using the Internet as a way to make more profit.
Adelson’s record-breaking campaign spending in 2012 made him an icon of the new super-donor era. He is best known for building upscale casino resorts in Nevada and more recently in Asia.
The billionaire argues that the online gambling is a danger to society and could tarnish the industry’s traditional business model, The Washington Post reported. Adelson is preparing a public campaign to portray online gambling as a danger to children, the poor and others who could be exploited by easy access to Internet betting, the Post added.
His competitors however, disagree. Rival firms view Adelson’s initiative as a major threat saying the billionaire’s push against Internet gambling is related to his business.
Adelson has already hired lobbyists and public relations experts to press his case in Washington and in state capitals nationwide.
“In my 15 years of working with him, I don’t think I have ever seen him this passionate about any issue,” the Post quoted Andy Abboud, Adelson’s top political adviser, as saying.
Adelson has about two dozen experts working nearly full time on the issue.
A coalition of advocacy groups, representing women, African Americans and Hispanics, are expected to start a campaign in January against online betting.
Three US states have moved to legalize online gambling, and over a dozen others are expected to consider it next year.
ARA/ARA
