Unpopular Harry Reid Faces Online Gambling Question
With voters in his home state of Nevada increasingly expressing unhappiness with his performance, US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is faced with crafting a position on the divisive issue of regulated online gambling. Reid's state, more than any other, will likely consider legalizing Internet gambling a strongly polarizing issue.
A poll by the Las Vegas Review-Journal found over forty-five percent of Nevada residents would replace Reid if the election were now, while only thirty-five percent said they would re-elect the Senator. Even Democrats only supported Reid by sixty percent, and less than thirty percent of independent voters backed Reid.
Meanwhile, Barney Frank's bill to repeal the UIGEA and regulate online casinos may advance to the Senate, causing Reid to stop waffling and choose a side in the online gaming battle. But Reid's constituents are split on the issue, says OCA gaming analyst Sherman Bradley, making it likely he alienates some voters no matter his position.
"Reid has opposed licensing Internet casinos in the past, when the land-based casino industry that runs Nevada and speaks through the American Gaming Association was united behind resisting online play," says Bradley. "But now, the AGA is split as to the measure, with very strong feelings on each side."
A Reid spokesman said the Senator acknowledged that gambling is "a very important industry to the state," but also has questions as to whether regulation of online gambling could be effective. Bradley says this type of fence-sitting will only delay the need for Reid to declare himself.
"Facing a tough election campaign, Reid knows he will alienate powerful figures like Steve Wynn if he supports online gambling," asserts Bradley. "But if he goes against the Frank bill, he irritates Harrah's and other casino interests ready to move online. Some workers' groups will feel online venues threaten jobs, but new jobs may be created if Harrah's, for instance, opens a worldwide poker room.
"The problem for Reid is that there is no safe position. Ironically, the contributors who filled his campaign coffers in the past are fiercely split on this issue, meaning he can no longer placate them all. He might even have to vote for what's right, rather than what's paid for."
