Sheldon Adelson hires more help

Over the past few months, you’ve undoubtedly seen your fair share of Sheldon Adelson articles on this site. He’s a major name in the war to legalize online gaming, and he’s determined to put a stop to things. Given that he’s one of the world’s richest men, this is obviously a problem.

Several weeks ago, Sheldon Adelosn hired the Keelen Group. He did so as a reaction to Amaya Gaming acquiring Poker Stars and the fact that online gambling is picking up steam. Several more states are now considering legalizing gambling, and it seems like he’s starting to get more and more agitated.

The Keelen Group was hired to monitor federal policies related to Internet gambling. Now, he’s hired someone new – former GOP congressman Connie Mack. Mack has been hired to lobby against Internet gambling legislation.

It almost seems like Sheldon Adelson is fighting a war that he knows nothing about. Adelson is a self-described technophobe. He doesn’t e-mail, and he loathes texting. It goes without saying that he likely doesn’t own a computer, so he doesn’t understand Internet gambling. It’s a case of a rich guy fighting against something because he doesn’t fully understand what’s happening.

Internet gambling has been steadily increasing in popularity. This could be thanks to promotions to drive in new business, such as no deposit promotions, or it could be because more states are legalizing online gambling and giving people the opportunity to gamble from the comfort of their own home. Regardless of the reason, it has Sheldon Adelson terrified.

Adelson runs the Coalition to Stop Internet Gambling, and Connie Mack will support it. Connie’s task will be to lobby against the Restoration of America’s Wire Act, which was introduced by Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Representative Jason Chaffetz of Utah. In addition to Connie Mack and the Keelen Group, Adelson also has the support of Steptoe and Johnson, the Lincoln Policy Group, and the Capitol Counsel.

At this point, we’re almost at a stalemate. Adelson has the support of some fairly heavy hitters, and money isn’t an issue for him. Internet gambling, on the other hand, has been regulated in three states, and several more are on the verge of legalizing it. Despite the fact that Adelson is getting his team together, the fact that online gaming brings in a significant amount of revenue for the states where it’s legalized can’t be denied.

So far this year, Sheldon Adelson has shelled out almost a quarter of a million dollars in this crusade. The scary thing is that that’s almost nothing to him. For him, it’s like going through a couch and finding a dime.

This acquisition by Adelson is certainly worrying, but will it make a difference? Only time will tell.