Nevada Senator Could Support Online Poker

In a huge turn of events, the one time outspoken opponent of online gambling in a form has changed positions and is now backing the legalization of online poker (only). Gaming executives in Northern Nevada are now concerned with the new position that the Majority Leader Harry Reid has now taken because they believe that legalization could hurt their business and cause layoffs. Executives said Reid D-Nev., told them he would support the legalization of online poker in the United States but drew the line there; he would not support any other forms of online gambling.

Reid’s decision has some executives worried because they fear that once online poker is legalized, then the legalization of other online casino games will follow, draining their businesses of customers. Bill Hughes the Marketing Director for the Peppermill said “Online Poker is just the tip of the iceberg, once it is legalized more will follow and it will eventually draw money out of the State of Nevada from our poker rooms and other facilities.

Harry Reid explained that Nevada could earn tax revenue, which is a much needed asset; some executives predict that his added revenue would only end up going to unemployed casino workers who lose their jobs as the online market opens up.

Legislation currently is winding through Congress that would legalize online poker. In late June, the House Financial Services Committee approved a bill that would effectively legalize online poker, overturning a 2006 federal law that bars offshore sites from accepting money from U.S. bettors.

If I were a betting man, I’d bet Nevada Senator Harry Reid will be facing a brutally tough re-election fight this fall.