A fissure has opened within Big Gaming. Sheldon Adelson‘s efforts to push anti-Internet-casino legislation will be officially opposed by an industry lobby 
that includes MGM Resorts International. Both MGM and the American Gaming Association are constituents of the Coalition for Consumer & Online Protection. Described as a collection of “commercial casinos, equipment manufacturers, Indian tribes and technology companies,” the CCOP argues that unlicensed, black-market Internet gambling is more legally and morally hazardous than its legalized counterpart. The AGA, MGM, etc., have been gearing up for this for some time, having done polling last month.
Channeling memories of World War II, Adelson’s own lobby responded that “Internet gambling is a bridge too far that Americans cannot abide.” At present, though, the biggest danger of stateside Internet wagering is its underwhelming financial performance. Consumers seem to be avoiding it regardless of what Adelson thinks. They can evidently abide it. They just don’t want to play it.
To wit, a poll commissioned by the CCOP shows strong support from 33% of respondents, stiff opposition from 22%. Hardly overwhelming numbers. (It’s not clear if this was a “push” poll or not.) Obama campaign guru Jim Messina will be helping coordinate the effort — you might say he’s becoming a specialist in thwarting Adelson. As Politico reports, “This is Adelson’s most public foray into pushing a legislative agenda in Washington and could be a test case for how far prolific political contributions get donors lobbying on pet projects.” Adelson also plans to lobby on the state level … and it looks as though Steve Wynn is waiting to come out on the winning side, whichever it happens to be.
When Adelson isn’t battling AGA President Geoff Freeman, he’ll be going against a far more dangerous adversary: Mickey Mouse. The casino industry is 
sending a staggering number of lobbyists (100) to the Sunshine State, to lobby for destination casinos. It’s not just tourist money that’s up for grabs but convention business, too. Genting Group wants to build a Miami convention center 50,000 square feet larger than the one at Walt Disney World. This big casino push is being conducted in tandem with the anti-regulatory lobby Associated Industries of Florida. There’s also a bidding war for the favor of Gov. Rick Scott (R): In 2012, Adelson poured $250,000 into campaign coffers. Last year, the Seminole Tribe was the top contributor, at $500,000. (Wouldn’t it be simpler to legalize bribery?)
Of course, money doesn’t always talk. Four million dollars in Genting lobbying money fell on deaf ears in Tallahassee the last time this issue was up for debate. One Disney lobbyist is worth any three casino ones, as Big Gaming finds itself trying to outwit what one operator calls “one of the most powerful special interests around.”
But soft! Speaker of the House Will Weatherford (R, left) says he’s open to casino expansion. Of course, this comes with conditions attached. For instance, the Seminole compact would have to be renegotiated this year, ahead of schedule, and any future gambling expansion would have to be put to statewide vote and gain a supermajority (60%). “The fact this is an issue being discussed by the Legislature at all is a testament to the political influence of the gambling industry,” marveled No Casinos President John Sowinski. In essence, Weatherford argues that augmenting gambling in the absence of a new Seminole compact is putting the cart before the horse.
For her part, state Rep. Gwen Margolis (D) wonders why it’s OK for the Lege to enlarge gambling this year but all future augmentations have to go through the ballot box. She also contends that permitting roulette and craps at Seminole casinos could make other new gambling redundant. It also might appease them sufficiently to ink a new compact with the state, but the Seminoles claim to be uninterested for the time being. He did mention, not too vaguely, the prospect of new jobs … suggesting there’s a way the state can have its cake and eat it, too.
Bottom line: The longer this drags on, the more that politicians can hit up gambling interests for campaign contributions. As for Scott, this is no predictor of his eventual stance but two of his homeboys from his Columbia/HCA hospital days are now casino lobbyists.
