Opposition to Online Gambling from the World’s Richest Casino Executive

Sheldon Adelson, the chairperson of Las Vegas Sands Corporation, continues his battle against the legalization of online poker in the US by taking his battle to Washington where he met with key Republican Senator Jon Kyl to discuss his views.

Las Vegas Sands is the largest and richest traded casino resort company in the world with casino resorts in Las Vegas, Macao and Singapore. Adelson is the strongest man in the company and a big contributor to the Republican Party.

According to Adelson the current safeguards that modern technology provides are not enough to ensure that minors will be unable to access real money online poker games. His views stand contrary to that of many other casino operators that are looking forward to online poker becoming legal in the US.

Ron Reese, a spokesman for Las Vegas Sands said that Adelson did not discuss his position with the company’s board and that the company has yet to agree on a formal strategy with regards to online gambling. As for Adelson’s remarks regarding the lack of security with current available technology, Reese said “It’s a personal observation of concerns about technology.”

Many Las Vegas-based gambling companies have already forged partnerships with gaming software companies in preparation for a change in legislation. Such companies include Wynn Resorts and MGM Resorts.

Currently there is overwhelming support for legalization of poker in the US. Some supporters would like to see intrastate poker allowed in states that wish to allow it, while others support an interstate solution which will require a change in Federal legislation.