With Pennsylvania having joined the roster of Internet-gambling jurisdictions, Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D) and Lindsey Graham (R) are pushing the panic button, hard. In a concession to the reality that the Senate won’t be able to rewrite the Wire Act, they’re 
asking for the Department of Justice to intervene by unilaterally reversing its 2011 opinion, which opened the ‘Net to U.S. casinos. “Internet gambling takes gambling too far. It preys on children and society’s most vulnerable,” wailed Feinstein and Graham, making a familiar — and groundless — case. “Online casinos are already opening across state lines pursuant to compacts and states are contemplating opening up their online casinos to foreign markets.” Oh, the horror! According to The Hill, the senators reiterated their 2011 high dudgeon that “allowing online gambling could turn every smartphone, tablet and personal computer into an around-the-clock casino.” Yes, God forbid anyone should be allowed personal liberty in this country.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions, during his confirmation hearings, made a pro forma promise to have another look at the Wire Act. However, he has subsequently found more pressing things to do. “Concerns about the proliferation of online gambling are bipartisan and span the political spectrum,” scribbled Graham and Feinstein. Do they? Really? We’ve not seen much evidence of that. The senatorial duo wants Internet gambling placed under Congress’ remit but the recent performance of lawmakers on Capitol Hill gives us no confidence that they can be trusted with anything so important.
* If things are looking up for locals casinos in Las Vegas (see October’s gaming grosses), it’s at least partly due to an influx of tax refugees from California. Says one, “We doubled the size of our house and lowered our mortgage payment.” Adds another, “It’s easier to live here and have a comfortable lifestyle.” Companies like Station Casinos and Boyd Gaming hear that and think KA-CHING!
* “Vegas is a state of mind as much as it is a physical destination,” writes New York Times columnist Mike Seely, assessing the post-10/1 state of Sin City. He describes the perfume of America’s fun capital as “a singularly pungent bouquet of cologne, cigarette smoke, steak and sewage,” which tells you more about Seely’s mindset than about Las Vegas. Dental worker Renée McKinley had a similarly negative view of her hometown until she 
saw the massive outpouring of support for the victims of Stephen Paddock‘s shooting spree. “The way our community stepped up, it proved me wrong,” she says.
We’re comforted to read that there’s a heightened security presence at Mandalay Bay these days (too late to stave off litigation), even though the recent Bellagio robbery seemed to betray a supine crisis-prevention attitude at MGM Resorts International. Not everyone shares the positive mindset. Observes one Elvis Presley impersonator. “People are just angry. I think it’s because of [Donald] Trump. It’s exhausting.” Former
Mandalay Bay guests are seen taking their business to Wynn Resorts now and even local GOP hangout Stoney’s Rockin’ Country is checking customers for firearms. Hotel rates are in a funk. So, even though the NYT tries to sell a “back to normal” premise, the article tells quite a different, shell-shocked story.
On a more positive note, a recent benefit concert for shooting victims brought out a star-studded lineup. Held at T-Mobile Arena, the event featured Strip entertainers ranging from the sublime (Elton John) to the ridiculous (Carrot Top). Even baseball’s Bryce Harper was part of the proceedings. The “Vegas Strong” concert was a joint effort of MGM and Caesars Entertainment, and we thank them and look forward to further such cooperation.
* Japan hasn’t done more than vaguely legalize casinos at this point but Lawrence Ho isn’t waiting. The Melco CEO has announced the theme of his $10 billion-plus megaresort pitch: “City of the Future.” It would, Ho said, be the most state-of-the-art casino on the planet. Given Ho’s impressive track record, we’re inclined to believe him.
* Pressure on the Trump administration to approve a third tribal casino in Connecticut has just risen a bit. Rep. John B. Larson (D) is calling for the Bureau of Indian Affairs to approve the Foxwoods/Mohegan Sun satellite casino in East Windsor, excusing his tardiness in intervening on the grounds that he was too busy fighting current tax legislation — which could, in itself, have ramifications for gaming.
