Online Gambling 2009 Top Issue

Online gambling is not only our top concern. The Internet community of players, operators and affiliates has a vested interest, understandably. But there are others who are showing growing interest.


Nevada
Las Vegas and Reno are global and state-level gambling havens. But in 2009, as the new Congress starts looking for new sources of tax income, they will have to concern themselves with online gambling as well.

AGA president, Frank Fahrenkopf, was quoted by the Reno Gazette-Journal to have said:  "The legalization of Internet gambling will be the hottest federal issue facing Nevada's gaming industry in the next few years."

When?
While some in the industry do not expect the issue to be first on the new administration's agenda come January 20, 2009, other believe it will come up soon.

Fahrenkopf pointed out the new pay-as-you-go system in Congress, which requires of each congressman or senator who introduces a piece of legislation to also show how it can be funded. With billions of potential tax money in online gambling, that might become quite a popular option.

Opportunity
Obviously, a legal and regulated online gambling industry is in the interest of players. But what many refuse to admit - it is also in the interest on Nevada's casino entertainment business.

Harrah's already owns the World Series of Poker and have a comfortable step into the online poker and gambling world, if it were to capitalize on the tremendous popularity of WSOP.