Since Internet gambling is currently not legal in the United States, individuals hoping to bring it about will have to gain massive support from current traditional gambling companies. To help accomplish this, New Jersey representative Robert Menendez is presenting a bill that would make games like poker, chess and backgammon, also called games of skill untouchable by legislation. This is done as a follow-up to a plan that was put up previously by Barney Frank, the house committee chair.
The Financial Times has pointed out that even if certain procedures create a slowing effect on the plans that ultimately the decision of any Internet gambling law rests on the shoulders of the majority leader Harry Reid. Without the consent of Reid, nothing will pass. Since it is widely accepted that Reid is crucial to any Internet gambling law passing, the hopes are to educate him on the benefits of online gambling in the Untied States and to quash any concerns about the stated risks.
Another huge part of this debate is the traditional offline gambling industry leaders. Harrah’s and MGM are on board with the concept of Internet gambling, stating that they are excited to break into a new part of the industry that they had no access to previously, while other leaders such as Wynn and others are dead set against it claiming that it will destroy their piece of the industry that they have fought tooth and nail for. This is a topic that is in hot debate right now and is showing no signs of slowing. There is a lot of money to be made by some and lost by others and nobody is going to go down without a fight.
