Fossil fuel-loving fossil Sheldon Adelson is putting heavy pressure on Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval (R) to veto a bill that would increase the production of renewable energy in the Silver State. And when Adelson says “Jump!”, Sandoval asks “How high?” The bill would 
require that 40% of the state’s energy output come from renewables by 2030, by which time Adelson will be 96. As matters stand presently, Las Vegas Sands would be required to purchase 25% of its energy in renewable form by 2025. Since the Nevada energy market is currently being deregulated, Adelson contends that it’s too soon to raise the mandate, which he argues will raise energy prices right along with it.
By contrast, renewable-energy supporter Assemblyman Chris Brooks says, “We have one of the best solar environments in the world and the cost of wind is at an all-time low.” His allies include MGM Resorts International and eBay. Adelson claims to support clean power but, frankly, we doubt his sincerity.
* Speaking of things Adelson opposes, Internet-casino haven Gibraltar has been ruled to be lumped in with Great Britain when the latter leaves the European Union. That means Brexit will do a number on the colony’s casino industry.
* Ohio casino employees are the beneficiaries of a rather bizarre bill working its way through the Legislature. It would rescind a ban on their ability to play at a casino. Instead they would be able to play — at the competition’s facility. As written, the legislation would permit employees to “participate in casino gaming at a casino facility, so long as they don’t have an interest in the facility, aren’t employed at the facility and don’t have an interest or employment at an affiliated facility in Ohio.” Considering that this would require a commute from, say, Toledo to Cleveland for Hollywood Casino workers so they could play at Jack Cleveland we don’t see the logic behind the law. Rescind the ban entirely, we say. The demo-prohibition is hardly an improvement on what preceded it.
* Ohio’s habitual top casino performer, Hard Rock International, is building a fourth Florida hotel, moving into the Daytona Beach market. However, it will be a strictly-gambling free venture, small in scale (200 rooms). Hard Rock is on the move this week, having just inked a pact that will enable it to open a Hard Rock Casino in Ottawa. We’ll go out on a limb and say that, of all the major operators, Hard Rock is the one to watch.
