This story was published more than 9 years ago.
New Jersey's most outspoken proponent of online gambling has come out in fierce opposition to gaming billionaire Sheldon Adelson's attempt to get the federal government to ban the activity, calling any potential ban an "economic catastrophe".
The comments came from State Senator Ray Lesniak, who directly challenged Adelson's stance on internet gambling and announced that he has alerted every key player in New Jersey's betting industry to the billionaire's attempt to ban internet gambling, urging them to help stop the measure that will cost the state jobs and tax revenue.
Speaking through a statement, Lesniak said: "We already have given the legal authority for Internet gaming in New Jersey, and state regulators have done a good job in reviewing and authorizing licenses for online gaming businesses. Imposing a federal ban on Internet gambling for New Jersey would be an economic catastrophe."
“Adelson has started a campaign to shut down New Jersey’s internet gaming, which will cost the loss of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars of revenues to Atlantic City’s ailing casinos and hundreds of millions of dollars to the state treasury."
The comments then took a personal tone, as Lesniak challenged Adelson to focus his anti-gambling fight where it matters the most -- the poor.
“Mr. Adelson, you should take your campaign and direct it where gambling has the most negative impact – lottery sales," the multi-term Democrat said. "Convenience stores sell lottery tickets right across from low income housing projects. You should put your billions to work helping those folks get good paying jobs and job training and to support preschool education funding."
Lesniak then spoke out to former New York Governor George Pataki, saying that his stance on internet gambling has changed since he became a lobbyist for the cause.
"Shame on you, Governor Pataki. You promoted selling lottery tickets to poor people but now that you’re getting paid big money, you’ve ‘gotten religion’ about gambling."
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Comments
Damn.
That's pretty bold talk for a politician, but he is 100% right. Adelson is a holy roller when it comes to internet gambling because he is afraid it will impact his billion dollar corporation's bottom line, not because he is concerned about problem gambling or underage betting.
I love Senator Lesniak's common sense stance on betting issues.
Sheldon Adelson, CEO of the Las Vegas Sands land casino group, against online gambling. I'm shocked, utterly shocked that he would take that position.
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My thinking on this Ed, is that why is he so against it if other casino giants are already carrying on implementation of their online platforms?
Shouldn't he be trying to get his group in on the game and generate some extra revenue? It seems like he is missing out on a huge opportunity while also attempting to ruin the online betting industry in the US.
You could say exactly the same thing about the record companies 15 years ago when people were downloading mp3s and instead of going with the flow and embracing a new opportunity they tried to stop it and ended up showing the world their true colours.
It looks to me like he doesn't understand the technology, and wants to hang on to what he has and what he understands for as long as possible.
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