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 favourite to end up being the Democrat nominee for the 2016 election that is presidential and her stance on gaming is still a little murky.
Politics and gambling are very similar in theory. Both involve strategizing and calculating, taking odds into consideration, and deciding exactly how to proceed in the interest that is best of an individual’s self.
When it comes to politicians addressing the issue of gambling, this issue becomes a little more complex. Lawmakers realize that casinos bring the probability of increased tax revenues that translate to additional monies that could fund state governments that are currently struggling to help make ends meet.
Republicans and Democrats seldom agree with anything in today’s divisive governmental climate, and when 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 clear cut stance, no matter your celebration or viewpoint.
With all that in head,we take a look right back on this year that is past battles 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 still-uncertain GOP nominee next November. Whether it is Donald Trump, Dr. Ben Carson, Florida Senator Marco Rubio or another Republican candidate, something is almost for certain, which is Clinton will be their opponent.
Hillary Clinton
Hillary’s past in regards to gambling is just a rather mixed bag. Then-New York Senator Clinton voted in favor associated with Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006, a bill that essentially made online betting illegal.
But, two years later, Clinton said she was in favor of investigating just how online gambling can be properly regulated. The front that is democratic hasn’t addressed the appearing concerns of daily dream 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 former casino owner himself, the Donald probably will do small or nothing to block any federal legislation that would restrict states’ rights from deciding their particular gaming legislation.
Marco Rubio
Rubio has issued rather contrasting views on gambling. The senator that is first-term the Restoration of America’s Wire Act (RAWA) in 2015, a bill that would outlaw all types of on line gambling.
However, he also hinted this that RAWA might need an amendment for Internet poker, since it has elements of skill, but he’s remained steadfast against expanding gambling at land-based venues october.
Dr. Ben Carson
The former Johns Hopkins neurosurgeon has remained quiet on the issue of gambling, and since he does not have any political or gambling background, their record is vacant.
Speaker Paul Ryan
Though House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) isn’t an advocate for gambling or online casinos, he isn’t necessarily against the marketplace. The congressman that is nine-term not to vote on UIGEA in 2006 and in addition chose never to sign RAWA despite the fact that 21 of his Republican colleagues did.
The one concern with Ryan among gambling supporters is that he’s employed Dave Hoppe as his chief of staff. Hoppe is a Washington, DC, lobbyist who’s got worked on behalf of billionaire Sheldon Adelson.
Sheldon’s Crusade
No man had been more active in 2015 gambling that is political 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 casinos 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 particular chambers, though it’s generated action that is little. Don’t expect RAWA to magically soon disappear anytime, the billionaire stating he’ll spend ‘whatever it takes’ to prevent Internet gambling. But it does not appear to be threatening the shutdown of the three states that are legal either.
2016 will be a year that is important only due to the impending presidential election, but in part due to the rise of day-to-day fantasy contests. The return of PokerStars to nj 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 where the legislation that aims to block all forms of online gambling failed to get momentum that is much Congress, despite several lawmakers advocating on its behalf.
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Formally known as the Restoration of America’s Wire Act, RAWA was initially 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 mainly 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 ultimately funded the government that is american 2015.
Graham and Chaffetz reportedly attempted to slide RAWA into the cromnibus package, but the bill eventually passed free of any gambling legislation.
RAWA’s beat in 2014 did not hamper its proponents’ motivation for this present year’s legislative calendar. Supported 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 to 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 put on a formal hearing on the good qualities and cons of giving Internet betting into prohibition.
The committee invited five witnesses to testify, but it had been evident right away the majority was at favor of RAWA. University of Illinois Law Professor John Kindt even stole a relative line directly from Adelson when he said, ‘Click your phone, lose your house … click your mouse, lose your house.’
Exactly What coverage that is little RAWA hearing received was rather negative, media pundits determining the bias among the invitees. That led to Chaffetz ultimately failing continually to gain much support from his home peers, RAWA basically being shelved within the aftermath.
Graham’s Bad Timing
Timing is everything, and Graham’s decision to re-enter RAWA into the Senate came at what was possibly the most ill-advised time the sc politician might have chosen.
On the day before nine victims of the Charleston, South Carolina, shooting had been set to rest, Graham quietly reintroduced RAWA.
Poker Players Alliance Executive Director John Pappas condemned the action saying, ‘we think I speak for most Americans when I express profound dissatisfaction in Senator Graham for choosing this time to advance a bill for the only real benefit of a billionaire political donor.’
Graham’s bill has sat quietly ever since, attracting more dust into the halls regarding 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 wasn’t relevant enough for middle-of-the-road politicians to tackle. But which may have changed now, thanks to fantasy that is daily (DFS).
DFS had been outlawed by Nevada and brand New York, and numerous other states are currently pondering the legality of the contests. Should Congress intervene, that could theoretically open the floodgates for additional anti-online gaming regulations.
In Memorium, Almost
Finally, both a House Oversight and Government Reform (OGR) meeting on Dec. 9th and a failure (once again) to include RAWA in a end-of-year spending bill ensures that RAWA may live to see another day in 2016, but probably it will be gasping for breath as well as on A adelson-funded heart-lung machine.
The 2015 On Line Gambling State-by-State Review: Lots of Talk, Not Much Action
Online gambling had been 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 down. (Image: Jeff Scheid/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Online gambling earned lots 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 Internet betting could provide significant revenue increases for state tasks while also protecting citizens and adolescents from accessing rogue overseas sites. These legislators then persuaded colleagues to start an ear.
On the other side for the issue had been effective Las Vegas casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson funding political action committees and pressuring federal lawmakers to stop the growing market.
The dubious subject of ending online prohibition in 47 of the 50 states ended up being often discussed, but never ever managed to make it from the park. Here is a state-by-state recap of exactly what happened over the last 12 months.
Who Did Exactly What
Ca: The Golden State would offer a boost that is beneficial internet poker and Web gambling, but America’s most populated state idled regarding its passage in 2015. Several bills were introduced, however a battlefield that is complicated lawmakers, Native Americans, and racetracks led to deadlock.
Pennsylvania: The Keystone State seems poised to become the 4th state with 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 spending.
Texas: The sun seems to be rising regarding gambling that is online the state for which poker’s most popular game was called. In late October, the Texas lottery reached out to Delaware for more information about its market. Congressman Joe Barton (R) is definitely in support of legalizing iPoker, and it is apparently momentum that is gaining.
Massachussetts: No state did more gambling that is regarding land-based casinos in 2015 than Massachusetts. The Plainridge Park Casino opened in and the MGM Springfield and Wynn Everett are under construction june. But online gambling continues to be a no-go for the present time.
New Hampshire: In April, state lawmakers greatly shot down yet another bill to authorize land-based casinos. iPoker fans in the ‘Live Free or Die’ state have little to be worked up about, charitable poker games even drawing scrutiny in 2015.
Wisconsin: Badgers will continue waiting to try out 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 way it is with online casinos. A Michigan State University study unearthed 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 sites by formally starting an interstate lightweight. The pact hasn’t solved the nagging problems of player liquidity as hoped, nevertheless.
Florida: The Sunshine State is definitely targeted by commercial casino operators for its population that is high of, but elected leaders have repeatedly knocked down efforts to reduce the monopoly on gaming native tribes have. On line gambling seems to be an even longer shot for passage.
September New Jersey: The only other state with Nevada and Delaware to offer legal and regulated online gaming, New Jersey has its market positioned for a monstrous 2016 after it granted PokerStars an operating license in late. The Garden State is additionally trying to legalize sports that are traditional, a lawsuit set to be heard in February of next year.
Brand New York: The Empire State was running towards its very own authorization of online gambling in 2015 until day-to-day fantasy sports (DFS) exploded. With numerous bills presented, all gaming legislation took a seat that is back New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman pressed to make DFS unlawful in his state. Which brings us to…
