Mitt Romney was recently elected the Republican leader to run against Barack Obama in the 57th US presidential election this November. During the Republican National Convention in late August, the Party called for a ?prohibition? on all forms of online gambling.
The statement came in a platform section entitled ?Renewing American Values? that addressed underage gambling in connection with internet gambling, and rolled it in with legitimate social ills, such as child pornography.
?Millions of Americans suffer from problem or pathological gambling that can destroy families,? read the policy paper at the convention, ?We support the prohibition of gambling over the internet and call for the removal of the Justice Department?s decision distorting the formerly accepted meaning of the Wire Act that could open the door to internet betting.?
Casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, whose gaming empire stretches across Las Vegas, Macao and Singapore, has injected $71m into the Republicans campaign trail. Whilst Adelson has frequently publicised his disapproval of Obama, he also rejects online gaming with increased competition to land-based gaming and underage concerns.
Although Romney supported the expansion of slot parlours when governor of Massachusetts, the Republican leader has maintained an opposition to online gaming. ?I don?t want to increase gaming,? he said, ?I feel that we have plenty of access to gaming right now through the various casinos and establishments that exist.?
Should the Republicans reclaim the White House in November and the motion is enforced, the gaming industry would recieve a huge blow, as it has been gearing up for internet gaming in the US since the DoJ removed federal anti-gambling laws last year that existed within states.
Whilst opponents suggest technology is not yet sufficient enough to prevent minors from betting online, the illegal market in the US continues to flourish, with millions of dollars being spent at overseas sites and offering no consumer protection.
Brian Sandoval, Governor of Nevada, said, ?Nevada has always set the gold standard in gaming, and online gaming is the next frontier for the industry. Our state supports online poker and will continue to work to ensure a secure online gaming environment.?
A number of Nevada officials and industry executives are asking Congress to pass a bill that will allow US states to legalise intra-state online gambling. Gaming experts believe Nevada could be the centre of regulated internet gambling that could successfully spread throughout the country within a controlled environment.
John Pappas, Poker Players Alliance (PPA) Executive Director, said, ?The 2012 GOP platform on internet gambling is grossly our of touch with the opinions of the party?s own elected officials. Instead of broad political statements, now more than ever, Americans expect Congress to finally put the political posturing aside.?
?I believe Romney has it wrong here,? added Rich Muny, PPA Executive VP, ?Licensing and regulation will ensure that age verification measures are implemented, consumer protections are provided, and protections for those with excessive gaming habits are mandated. Current law does not provide any protections for anyone.?
Romney is no stranger to the gaming industry and the financial value it can achieve. The politician founded private equity firm Bain Capital that invested in GTECH and in 1999 reported that it held 1.2 million shares in the gaming giant. Bain has also teamed up with big gaming corporations to buy or revamp casinos and race tracks in the US.
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