Harry Reid Surprises Peers by Supporting Online Poker Legalization
In a huge turn of events, the one time outspoken opponent of online gambling in any 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 Majority Leader Harry Reid has now taken because they believe this legalization could hurt their business and cause layoffs.
During an August 16th meeting at the Atlantis Resort, Harry Reid told executives that he would support legalizing online poker but drew the line there; he would not support any other form of online gaming. Nevada executives are concerned because they believe that once online poker becomes legalized online casinos will follow, which will drain their customers away.
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. However, some executives predicted that this added revenue would only end up going to the unemployed casino workers who lose their jobs as the online market opens up.
Eric Dale, General Manager of Baldini’s Sports Casino said, “If you want Nevada to survive you don’t open the door to online gaming, not even an inch for online poker.” He went on to say, “Even if it is only online poker and even if it stayed that way forever, this door opening will take money from the hands of those who gamble online which will prevent them from spending that money at restaurants, movies and casino that employee people and this scares me”.