After Casino Mogul Throws Him Big Money Fundraiser, Graham Seeks Internet Gambling Ban
BY JOSH ISRAEL ON MARCH 20, 2014 AT 10:24 AM
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) says he will soon propose a federal Internet gambling ban, a proposal that mirrors the agenda of his major backer, billionaire casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, and the Adelson-backed Coalition to Stop Internet Gambling. This move comes after Adelson and his wife hosted a Graham fundraiser last year.
Graham has not previously made gaming a major policy priority, but did oppose a 2010 proposal to legalize Internet poker. Last month, he told industry news site GamblingCompliance that he will file a bill to ban to ban all online gambling, nationwide.
Such an effort has been pushed by Adelson, who has called Internet poker “a threat to our society — a toxin which all good people ought to resist,” and dismissed online gambling as “fool’s gold.” Adelson dismissed charges that the competition is bad for his businesses, arguing that “the impact on my company’s business would be limited.” Though Adelson has vigorously opposed online gaming, a coalition of other casinos oppose his proposed ban.
While Sheldon and Miriam Adelson have literally poured millions of dollars into electing political candidates, prior to 2013 the only significant contribution Graham received from them was a $2,300 donation in 2008 from Sheldon Adelson’s corporate PAC.
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http://thinkprogress.org/election/2014/03/20/3416865/lindsey-graham-sheldon-adelson/
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