Worst Foes of Regulated Online Casinos May Be Gaming Interests

Much resistance is expected by hardcore social conservatives, but suprisingly, the funding to resist licensed online casinos may come from gambling revenue.

A big push is occurring across the US as states join the federal government in a scramble to regulate online gambling. Much resistance is expected by hardcore social conservatives, but suprisingly, the funding to resist licensed online casinos may come from gambling revenue.

As California prepares to review a new bill by Lloyd Levine to regulate intrastate online poker, established gaming interests in the state and in neighboring areas are expected to contribute heavily against the bill. Other states considering new gambling laws which may include Internet casino regulation will also face efforts by vested parties to block competition.

For each state that looks to liberalize its gaming laws, there are cruise ship lines, racinos, and casinos that will disguise themselves as right-wing family concerns to scuttle Internet gaming plans.

"The names may be 'Protect the Future of Families' and 'Save the Children', but the underlying goal is not a moral one, but a business one. By persuading lawmakers with well-funded lobbying, gambling venues will fight to prevent the encroachment of Internet gaming," says OCA senior analyst Sherman Bradley.

"There are billions of dollars at stake, and gambling operators will try to use a misguided morality to guard their semi-monopolies."

US voters expressed a severe unhappiness with the control and power wielded by lobbyists in the last national election. Many observers think a backlash may arise, as voters reject unsubstantiated arguments advanced by puppets acting on the hidden agendas of greedy gaming monopolists.