Politics and Gambling 2015: Match Made in Heaven or Arranged Marriage?

Politics and gambling were front and center within the 2015 landscape. Hillary Clinton is the favorite to become the Democrat nominee for the 2016 election that is presidential and her stance on gaming remains a bit murky.
Politics and gambling are quite similar in theory. Both involve strategizing and calculating, taking odds under consideration, and determining exactly how to continue in the best interest of one’s self.
When it comes to politicians addressing the issue of gambling, the subject becomes a bit more complicated. Lawmakers realize that casinos bring the risk of increased tax revenues that translate to additional monies that could fund state governments that are currently struggling to produce ends meet.
Republicans and Democrats seldom agree on anything in today’s divisive governmental climate, and whenever it comes to gambling, these hardened foes aren’t exactly yes where to stand. Perhaps because online gaming, in particular, is neither liberal nor conservative, but a bit of each, there is no cut that is clear, no matter your celebration or viewpoint.
With all that in head,we have a look straight back on this past year’s struggles with politics and gambling, and what seems to lie ahead in 2016.
The Race for 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
It’s shaping up to be Hillary Clinton versus the GOP that is still-uncertain nominee November. Whether it’s Donald Trump, Dr. Ben Carson, Florida Senator Marco Rubio or any other Republican candidate, one thing is almost for certain, and that’s Clinton will be their opponent.
Hillary Clinton
Hillary’s past in regards to gambling is a rather blended bag. Then-New York Senator Clinton voted in favor regarding the Unlawful Web Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006, a bill that essentially made online betting illegal.
However, two years later, Clinton said she was at favor of investigating just how online gambling can be properly regulated. The front that is democratic hasn’t addressed the growing concerns of daily fantasy sports (DFS) as of yet.
Donald Trump
The surprising GOP leader is unsurprisingly perhaps gambling’s best bet for expansion of casinos, both land-based and online. As a casino that is former himself, the Donald probably will do small or nothing to block any federal legislation that would restrict states’ rights from deciding their own gaming guidelines.
Marco Rubio
Rubio has issued views that are rather contrasting gambling. The first-term senator co-sponsored the Restoration of America’s Wire Act (RAWA) in 2015, a bill that would outlaw all types of on the web gambling.
However, he also hinted this October that RAWA might need an amendment for Web poker, because it has aspects of skill, but he is remained steadfast against expanding gambling at land-based venues.
Dr. Ben Carson
The former Johns Hopkins neurosurgeon has remained quiet on the dilemma of gambling, and since he does not have any political or gambling background, their record is vacant.
Speaker Paul Ryan
Though home Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) isn’t an advocate for gambling or online casinos, he isn’t necessarily against the marketplace. The nine-term congressman opted not to vote on UIGEA in 2006 as well as decided to not sign RAWA despite the fact that 21 of his Republican colleagues did.
Usually the one concern with Ryan among gambling supporters is that he is hired Dave Hoppe as his chief of staff. Hoppe is a Washington, DC, lobbyist who has worked on behalf of billionaire Sheldon Adelson.
Sheldon’s Crusade
No guy was more active in 2015 political gambling legislation than billionaire and long-time GOP supporter Sheldon Adelson. The Las Vegas Sands chairman is no stranger to politics or Congress, and definitely knows what the expression ‘money talks’ is all about.
Worth roughly $30 billion, Sheldon’s made it his mission that is personal to online gambling enterprises by making use of their political clout among GOP lawmakers to push RAWA in the Senate and House of Representatives.
Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) obliged and introduced the bill to their respective chambers, though it’s generated action that is little. Don’t expect RAWA to magically disappear anytime quickly, the billionaire saying he’ll spend ‘whatever it takes’ to cease Internet gambling. But it does not appear to be threatening the shutdown of the three appropriate states, either.
2016 will be a year that is important only due to the impending presidential election, but in component as a result of rise of daily fantasy contests. The return of PokerStars to nj-new jersey will even bring added attention to online gaming.
RAWA in 2015: The Long and Winding Road That Led to Confusion and Contention
Year billionaire Sheldon Adelson is funding the RAWA journey, and though the legislation idled in 2015, the excursion will continue after the New. (Image: politico.com)
RAWA endured a lengthy 2015 campaign when the legislation that aims to block all types of online gambling failed to get momentum that is much Congress, despite several lawmakers advocating on its behalf.
Formally known as the Restoration of America’s Wire Act, RAWA was introduced in the Senate and House of Representatives in March of 2014 by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah).
The bill was largely overshadowed in Washington, DC, during its initial introduction as elected leaders inside the Beltway were focused on the so-called ‘cromnibus,’ a head-scratching emergency bill that eventually funded the government that is american 2015.
Graham and Chaffetz reportedly attempted to slide RAWA into the cromnibus package, but the bill finally passed free of any gambling legislation.
RAWA’s beat in 2014 don’t hamper its proponents’ motivation for in 2010’s legislative calendar. Backed by billionaire Sheldon Adelson, the $30 billion vegas Sands owner whom desperately wants online casinos outlawed, Graham and Chaffetz as soon as again introduced the proposal for their chambers.
Chaffetz’s Hearing Help
Carrying out a February presentation of RAWA, Chaffetz used his sitting on the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations to carry a formal hearing on the pros and cons of giving Internet betting into prohibition.
The committee invited five witnesses to testify, but it absolutely was evident right away the majority was in benefit of RAWA. University of Illinois Law Professor John Kindt even stole a relative line directly from Adelson when he stated, ‘Click your phone, lose your home … click your mouse, lose your household.’
Just What coverage that is little RAWA hearing received was rather negative, media pundits pinpointing the bias among the invitees. That led to Chaffetz eventually neglecting to gain support that is much his House colleagues, RAWA basically being shelved in the aftermath.
Graham’s Bad Timing
Timing is everything, and Graham’s decision to re-enter RAWA in to the Senate arrived at what was perhaps the absolute most time that is ill-advised sc politician could have chosen.
On the day before nine victims of the Charleston, sc, shooting had been set to rest, Graham quietly reintroduced RAWA.
Poker Players Alliance Executive Director John Pappas condemned the action saying, ‘I think I speak for most Americans when I express profound frustration in Senator Graham for selecting this time to advance a bill for the sole benefit of a billionaire political donor.’
Graham’s bill has sat quietly ever since, attracting more dust in the halls for the US Capitol than White House china that is fourth-tier.
The DFS Factor
RAWA is thought to have predominantly struggled in 2014 and much of the previous 12 months because the topic of online gambling simply was not relevant enough for middle-of-the-road politicians to tackle. But that may have changed now, thanks to fantasy that is daily (DFS).
DFS was already outlawed by Nevada and New York, and multiple other states are currently pondering the legality of the contests. Should Congress intervene, that could theoretically open the floodgates for additional gaming that is anti-online.
In Memorium, Nearly
Finally, both a House Oversight and Government Reform (OGR) meeting on Dec. 9th and a failure (once once again) to include RAWA in a end-of-year spending bill means that RAWA may live to see a later date in 2016, but probably it is gasping for breathing and on A adelson-funded heart-lung machine.
The 2015 On Line Gambling State-by-State Review: Countless Talk, Not Much Action
On the web gambling ended up being once again an active topic among state and federal lawmakers, so that as the discourse continues, billionaire Sheldon Adelson continues his efforts to fight it off. (Image: Jeff Scheid/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Online gambling earned plenty of floor time in state capitols in the united states’s 50 states in 2015.
The motion was fueled by a select few whom believe legalizing Web betting could provide revenue that is substantial for state jobs while also protecting citizens and adolescents from accessing rogue offshore sites. These legislators then persuaded colleagues to open an ear.
On the reverse side of the issue was effective nevada casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson funding political action committees and pressuring federal lawmakers to stop the market that is growing.
The dubious topic of ending prohibition that is online 47 of the 50 states was often discussed, but never caused it to be out from the park. Here is a state-by-state recap of exactly what happened over the last 12 months.
Who Did Just What
Ca: The Golden State would offer a beneficial boost to online poker and online gambling, but America’s most populated state idled regarding its passage in 2015. Several bills were introduced, however a complicated battlefield between lawmakers, Native Americans, and racetracks generated deadlock.
Pennsylvania: The Keystone State seems poised to end up being the state that is fourth legalized iGambling in 2016. Led by State Rep. John Payne (R-District 106), the legislature that is republican-controlled need to legalize in purchase to combat Democrat Governor Tom Wolf’s increased investing.
Texas: The sun seems to be rising regarding gambling that is online the state for which poker’s most popular game was named. The Texas lottery reached out to Delaware to learn more about its market in late October. Congressman Joe Barton (R) is definitely in favor of legalizing iPoker, and it appears to be gaining momentum.
Massachussetts: No state did more regarding gambling at land-based casinos in 2015 than Massachusetts. The Plainridge Park Casino opened in June, while the MGM Springfield and Wynn Everett are under construction. But on line gambling stays a no-go for the time being.
New Hampshire: In April, state lawmakers heavily shot down yet another bill to authorize casinos that are land-based. iPoker fans in the ‘Live Free or Die’ state have little to be stoked up about, charitable poker games even drawing scrutiny in 2015.
Wisconsin: Badgers will continue waiting to play poker outside a Wisconsin judge upholding the state’s poker ban by citing a 1964 ruling.
Michigan: The Spartan State has a history that is long of gambling, but that is not the case with online casinos. A Michigan State University study discovered that the continuing state would benefit from legalizing the industry, but lawmakers have been weary to proceed.
Nevada and Delaware: Two states that legalized on the web gaming before 2015, Nevada and Delaware attempted to breathe life into their struggling iPoker networks by formally starting a compact that is interstate. The pact hasn’t solved the problems of player liquidity as hoped club player casino lobby, nonetheless.
Florida: The Sunshine State is certainly targeted by commercial casino operators for its population that is high of, but elected leaders have repeatedly knocked down attempts to lessen the monopoly on gaming native tribes have. On the web gambling seems to be an even longer shot for passage.
New Jersey: The only other state with Nevada and Delaware to provide legal and regulated online gaming, New Jersey has its market placed for a monstrous 2016 after it granted PokerStars an operating license in late September. The Garden State is also attempting to legalize traditional sports betting, a lawsuit set to be heard in February of the following year.
Brand New York: The Empire State was operating towards its own authorization of on line gambling in 2015 until day-to-day fantasy sports (DFS) exploded. With numerous bills presented, all gaming legislation took a straight back seat once New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman forced to make DFS illegal in his state. Which brings us to…