Politics and gambling were front and center in the 2015 landscape. Hillary Clinton is the favorite to become the Democrat nominee for the 2016 presidential election, and her stance on gaming remains a little murky.
Politics and gambling can be similar in theory. Both involve strategizing and calculating, using odds under consideration, and deciding exactly how to proceed in the interest that is best of an individual’s self.
In terms of politicians addressing the presssing issue of gambling, this issue 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 make ends meet.
Republicans and Democrats rarely agree on anything in today’s divisive climate that is political 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 small amount of each, there is no cut that is clear, regardless of your celebration or standpoint.
With all that in brain,we take a look right back on this past 12 months’s 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 any other Republican candidate, something is almost for many, and that is 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 for the Unlawful online Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006, a bill that essentially made online betting illegal.
However, 2 yrs later on, 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 emerging 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 being a former casino owner himself, the Donald is likely to do little or nothing to block any federal legislation that would restrict states’ rights from deciding their gaming rules.
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 https://casino-online-australia.net/club-player-casino-review/ forms of online gambling.
However, he also hinted this October that RAWA might need an amendment for Internet poker, because it has elements of skill, but he’s remained steadfast against expanding gambling at land-based venues.
Dr. Ben Carson
The former Johns Hopkins neurosurgeon has remained quiet in the problem of gambling, and since he doesn’t have 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 industry. The congressman that is nine-term not to vote on UIGEA in 2006 as well as opted for to not sign RAWA despite the fact that 21 of his Republican peers did.
The main one concern with Ryan among gambling supporters is he is employed Dave Hoppe as his chief of staff. Hoppe is a Washington, DC, lobbyist that has worked on behalf of billionaire Sheldon Adelson.
Sheldon’s Crusade
No man was more active in 2015 political gambling legislation than billionaire and long-time GOP supporter Sheldon Adelson. The Las Vegas Sands president is no stranger to politics or Congress, and definitely knows what the expression ‘money talks’ is all about.
Worth approximately $30 billion, Sheldon’s made it his individual mission to ban online casinos by utilizing his 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 soon disappear anytime, the billionaire saying he’ll spend ‘whatever it takes’ to end Internet gambling. But it doesn’t appear to be threatening the shutdown of the three legal states, either.
2016 will be an important year perhaps not just due to the impending presidential election, but in part due to the rise of daily fantasy contests. The return of PokerStars to nj will also bring added attention to online gaming.
RAWA in 2015: The Long and Winding path That Led to Confusion and Contention
Billionaire Sheldon Adelson is funding the RAWA journey, and even though the legislation idled in 2015, the excursion will continue after the latest Year. (Image: politico.com)
RAWA endured a lengthy 2015 campaign when the legislation that aims to block all forms of online gambling failed to gain momentum that is much Congress, despite several lawmakers advocating on its behalf.
Formally known as the Restoration of America’s Wire Act, RAWA was initially introduced within 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 had been mostly 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 US federal government in 2015.
Graham and Chaffetz reportedly attempted to slide RAWA into the cromnibus package, but the bill ultimately passed free of any gambling legislation.
RAWA’s beat in 2014 don’t hamper its proponents’ motivation for this year’s legislative calendar. Supported by billionaire Sheldon Adelson, the $30 billion Las Vegas Sands owner whom desperately wants online casinos outlawed, Graham and Chaffetz as soon as once again introduced the proposal to their chambers.
Chaffetz’s Hearing Help
Adhering to a February presentation of RAWA, Chaffetz used his sitting on the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations to hold a formal hearing on the professionals and cons of sending Internet betting into prohibition.
The committee invited five witnesses to testify, but it had been evident right away the majority was at benefit 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 household.’
Just What little coverage the RAWA hearing received was rather negative, media pundits pinpointing the bias among the invitees. That led to Chaffetz finally failing continually to gain support that is much his House peers, RAWA basically being shelved in the aftermath.
Graham’s Bad Timing
Timing is everything, and Graham’s decision to re-enter RAWA to the Senate came at what was maybe the absolute most ill-advised time the sc politician could have chosen.
On the day before nine victims of the Charleston, South Carolina, shooting were set to rest, Graham quietly reintroduced RAWA.
Poker Players Alliance Executive Director John Pappas condemned the action saying, ‘I think we speak for most Americans when I express profound dissatisfaction in Senator Graham for choosing this time to advance a bill for the only real advantageous asset 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 subject 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 has already been outlawed by Nevada and brand New York, and multiple other states are currently thinking the legality of the contests. Should Congress intervene, that could theoretically open the floodgates for additional gaming that is anti-online.
In Memorium, Almost
Finally, both a House Oversight and Government Reform (OGR) meeting on Dec. 9th and a failure (once again) to incorporate RAWA within an end-of-year spending bill ensures that RAWA may live to see another day in 2016, but probably it’s going to be gasping for breathing and on A adelson-funded heart-lung machine.
The 2015 On The Web Gambling State-by-State Review: Lots of Talk, Not Much Action
Online gambling ended up being once again a topic that is active 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 plenty of floor time in state capitols around the world’s 50 states in 2015.
The movement 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 hand regarding the issue was powerful Las Vegas casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson funding political action committees and pressuring federal lawmakers to stop the growing market.
The dubious topic of ending prohibition that is online 47 of the 50 states ended up being often discussed, but never ever made it out from the park. Here’s a state-by-state recap of what happened over the last 12 months.
Who Did What
Ca: The Golden State would offer a beneficial boost to internet poker and Internet gambling, but America’s most populated state idled regarding its passage in 2015. Several bills were introduced, nevertheless a battlefield that is complicated lawmakers, Native Americans, and racetracks generated deadlock.
Pennsylvania: The Keystone State seems poised to end up being the 4th state with legalized iGambling in 2016. Led by State Rep. John Payne (R-District 106), the Republican-controlled legislature might need to legalize in order 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 to learn more about its market. Congressman Joe Barton (R) has long been in support of legalizing iPoker, and it appears to be momentum that is gaining.
Massachussetts: No state did more regarding gambling at 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 stays a no-go for the time being.
New Hampshire: In April, state lawmakers heavily 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 long history of brick-and-mortar gambling, but that isn’t the scenario with online casinos. A Michigan State University study discovered that the 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 launching an interstate compact. The pact hasn’t solved the issues of player liquidity as hoped, however.
Florida: The Sunshine State is definitely targeted by commercial casino operators for its high populace of seniors, but elected leaders have repeatedly knocked straight down efforts to lessen the monopoly on gaming native tribes have. Online gambling appears 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 sports that are traditional, a lawsuit set to be heard in February of the following year.
New York: The Empire State was running towards its authorization that is own of 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 forced to make DFS illegal in his state. Which brings us to…