The Casino Association of New Jersey is the latest group to come out against the Sheldon Adelson-backed Restoration of America’s Wire act, a federal bill that would ban online gambling in the U.S.
The association’s opposition is obvious as New Jersey approved and began online gambling one year ago. The online sites are backed by Atlantic City casinos, which make up the association.
The bill, if passed, would force New Jersey and two other states that have approved online gambling—Delaware and Nevada—to shut down their sites.
The association adopted a resolution opposing the bill, which it sent to New Jersey’s congressional delegation.
The resolution asks that members “take all action to oppose the ‘Restoration of America’s Wire Act,’ and preserve the State of New Jersey’s authorization and strict regulation of internet gambling and the right of all states to determine whether or not they desire to allow or prohibit specific forms of gambling.”
The resolution calls New Jersey’s online gambling laws a success which have benefitted the state’s casino industry. Although online gambling in the state has fallen far short of predicted revenue, it has brought in about $110 million for Atlantic City’s struggling casinos.
The resolution also acknowledges that there are rumors the bill may be considered by the lame suck session of Congress.
That has brought out opposition from several conservative and libertarian groups that see the bill as an infringement on state’s rights. Former Texas Congressman Ron Paul has also come out against the bill which he called political cronyism to appease Adelson.
Adelson—the billionaire owner of the Sands Las Vegas and a major contributor to Republican candidates—has personally financed a lobbying effort to push the bill through Congress, saying online gambling will lead to underage gambling and more problem gambling. His critics see it as a move to protect his land-based casino interests.
