Gambling Enterprises Invest Heavily in Lobbying for Legal Gaming in US

Recent United States gambling news report that major online gambling companies continue to invest heavily in lobbying for legalization of online gambling in the United States.

The Q4 2011 figures reveal around $3.7 million was spent on lobbying the necessary change in American gambling laws. It’s slightly more than a quarter before – $3.61 million.

What’s more interesting is that these figures don’t consist of direct political contributions to various bodies including Political Action Committees (PACs). These organizations showed that interested parties, for example gambling king, Sheldon Adelson, also spent millions supporting pro-gambling presidential candidates.

Las Vegas Sands, owned by Adelson, was pretty modest with its lobbying expenses, spending just $10,000 compared to Caesars Entertainment’s whopping $784,000. Caesars is investing heavily in lobbying for legalized online poker sites in United States.

Another big player, MGM Resorts, coughed up $150,000, while its online gambling partner Boyd Gaming put forward $50,000. The third company in the partnership, Bwin, scattered around $60,000.

Poker Stars, arguably the biggest online poker operator, was true to itself and spend $150,000 on lobbying efforts. TVG, the horseracing operator, acquired by Betfair, heavily increased its spending, parting with $120,000. Another notable spender was Churchill Downs with $80,000.

As for gambling associations, the first prize goes to the American Gaming Association – spending over $500,000 on lobbying. Poker Players Alliance parting ways with $315,000 and the Interactive Gaming Council a “modest” $230,000.

It remains to be seen just how successful these contributions will be in changing American lawmakers’ mind on the issue of legal online gambling in the country.