Adelson declares war on web gaming in states, will "make it the plague"

Sheldon Adelson, who already is crusading to stop a federal green light for web poker, is escalating his effort.

Andy Abboud, Adelson's chief lobbyist, told me Friday that Team Adelson is actively preparing to "block legalization state by state."

"We are prepared to mount full campaigns in every state where a bill is introduced to legalize any form of online gaming," Abboud said. "We will also be doing education in all states to prevent the introduction of any bills."

And, he added, "We are going to make it 'the plague.'"

This comes shortly after the American Gaming Association, of which Adelson's Las Vegas Sands is a member, announced the hiring of ex-Obama campaign manager Jim Messina and others, including Sara Rayme, who came over from big web gaming proponent MGM Resorts International.

Indeed, Rayme recently sent a missive to AGA members about priorties, including: 

  • Successful Ally Development – Positive conversations with lotteries, tribes, financial services' organizations and others who oppose a federal prohibition of online gaming.
A war of gamers in DC and across the country? Seems as if no one wins except the consultants. Oh, and me.
 

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