It’s a good thing that American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman hightailed it to Barcelona this week to give a speech. During Global Gaming Expo, his signature achievement was to stake the AGA’s credibility on a Justin Timberlake movie. Freeman didn’t exactly bring sexy back: Runner Runner scared up a paltry $7.6 million at the domestic box office. Americans clearly find the threat of Internet casinos a less-than-compelling topic. It’s also hard to posture about the need for federal regulation when the industry — including fellow scare tacticians MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment — is piling into New Jersey, Nevada and Delaware as fast as it can, looking for i-gaming licenses. (Fiscal relief can’t come a moment too soon for Atlantic City.) Freeman gets an “F” for putting so much faith and credit on Runner Runner. Besides, Congress has better things to do. On second thought …
While in Barcelona, Freeman identified several priorities. These included removing regulatory barriers to “the intersection of digital technology and social media” (read: Internet gambling), to recapture young gamblers who are now spending their money on nightclubs and pool parties. While he’s right to warn against “bad actors” in the digital sphere, he might look closer to home. A disturbing Associated Press story reveals Continue reading
