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Sheldon Adelson Declares War on Online Gambling to Save Casinos

A billionaire's crusade could rewrite gambling laws. Will his bid to ban online betting save casinos—or stifle innovation?

The image shows a man playing a slot machine with the words "Jackpot" on it. He is surrounded by a...
The image shows a man playing a slot machine with the words "Jackpot" on it. He is surrounded by a board with text and pictures of fruits, suggesting that he is playing online casino games.

Sheldon Adelson Declares War on Online Gambling to Save Casinos

Sheldon Adelson, CEO of Las Vegas Sands Corp, has spoken out strongly against online gambling. He claims it threatens the future of traditional casinos and has called for stricter federal laws to ban it outright. Adelson’s opposition stems from concerns about his own business and the wider casino industry. He points to Europe, where casino revenues have fallen by 20% since online gambling was legalised. This decline, he argues, shows the damage internet betting could cause in the US.

To stop its spread, Adelson wants the federal government to take action. His proposals include rewriting the Federal Wire Act or passing new legislation to outlaw online gambling completely. Without such measures, he warns, commercial casinos, Native American gaming venues, and racetrack-casinos could all face closure. The billionaire’s stance reflects his long-standing position against internet betting. His company, Las Vegas Sands Corp, operates major resorts and casinos, which he believes would suffer if online gambling expands further.

Adelson’s push for a federal ban comes as online gambling grows in popularity. If his campaign succeeds, new laws could reshape the industry and protect land-based casinos from competition. For now, the debate over regulation and prohibition continues.

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