Nevada

Another Attempt to Legalize US Online Poker on a Federal Level

In what is becoming an annual event, another bill that seeks to legalize online poker on a federal level is floating around Congress. As reported by Nevada journalist John Ralston, this proposed legislation would legalize internet poker across the United States while banning online casino games and sports betting.

Initial rumors credited the Las Vegas Sands Corp. with being behind this bill. However, Ralston confirmed that this rumor has no truth to it and is ridiculous, given that the company’s chairman, Sheldon Adelson, hates all forms of internet gaming. So who is behind the latest widespread attempt to legalize online poker? Let’s answer this question and discuss if the bill has any shot of passing.

Caesars are working behind the scenes

Up until last month, Caesars Entertainment had fully backed efforts to legalize online gaming in as many US states as possible. They’ve since cooled off on this mission after the American Gaming Association pulled their support of internet gaming. Even still, Ralston says that Caesars are behind the legislation as he writes, “I have all but confirmed that this comes from Caesars.” The journalist adds that a Caesars lobbyist named Haley Barbour handed out the bill.

There are a couple of reasons why this makes sense for Caesars. First off, they own the popular WSOP.com online gaming brand in Nevada and New Jersey. Given the cross-promotion that they can do with the live WSOP, this would help them remain a major leader in US online poker. Secondly, a poker-only bill offers a compromise between Adelson and his Restoration of America’s Wire Act (RAWA), which seeks to abolish all forms of internet gaming.

Can this bill pass?

Perhaps the best predictor of where Caesars’ bill could be headed is Nevada Sen. Dean Heller. And he doesn’t really see the legislation heading anywhere right now. Barbour already explained the bill to him and he doesn’t seem too excited about the matter. “There’s something floating around,” said Heller. “I don’t have it, I’m not carrying it, and I don’t think Senator Reid’s office is carrying it either.”

The Senator did add that he’d take a closer look at the bill and decide whether or not it’s something that is worth supporting. Meanwhile, Heller seems most focused on his talks with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah). Both have written bills that would make all forms of internet gaming illegal. But Heller and fellow Nev. Senator Harry Reid hope to convince them to at least make a carve-out for online poker.

In any case, it looks like the current proposal by Caesars is just another online poker legalization attempt that won’t come to a vote.

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