Online Poker Boycotters Target Las Vegas Sands Boss
This was published 28-06-2013Following the unprecedented attack by Sheldon Adelson, the Chief Executive Officer of popular US gambling group, Las Vegas Sands, on internet gambling, when he called it dangerous and immoral and added that as an industry leader, father, grandfather, citizen and patriot of the country, he was totally opposed to the legalization and proliferation of online gambling, online poker players are planning a consumer boycott against Adelson’s poker room, The Venetian Casino and Resort, that is frequented by top poker pros.
Adelson referred to internet gambling as dangerous and immoral and stated that its grown comes at the expense of revenues that could otherwise be directed to terrestrial casinos and the loss of many jobs. Adelson also alleged that according to European research, the growth of online gambling in regulated countries resulted in a drop of 20% in land casino revenue and cities that host casinos across theUnited Statescould experience a loss of 400,000 jobs.
According to a specialist in online gambling law, Martin D. Owens, online gambling is reality in 32 states in one form or another and that the global revenues generated by the industry has reached over $30 billion. Owens added that half of the revenue is generated by online poker at the leadingUSpoker sites and others located around the world.
Owens also said that the decrease of revenues in European casinos is due to the fact that the younger generation is doing more things online, which includes gambling.
John Pappas, the President of the Poker Players Alliance, objected to Adelson’s comments and said that licensed and regulated internet poker is taking place all over the world, including inAmericaand in Adelson’s back yard ofNevada.
Pappas added that although no boycott has officially been organized by the Poker Players Alliance, they have heard from many outraged players, several of who are saying that they will never play in The Venetian Casino and Resort again.
