Today's US Midterm Elections could have a long range impact on online gambling, take note of who's in favor and who's against if you're going to the polls.
Americans go to the polls today for the US Midterm elections which could have a great effect on the future of iGaming in the country and specifically in Massachusetts and Florida which are on the fence about the subject.
Massachusetts
Over the past year there have been estimations about the option that Massachusetts will legalize online gambling. Both the Republican and Democrat candidates for Governorship, Charlie Baker and Martha Coakley, have expressed their support for land-based casinos in the Bay State from a stance of "if that's what the voters want". However the two candidates do not seem interested in iGaming expansion, so there's no clear cut here.
The state treasurer will also play an important role in any move to bring iGaming to Massachusetts, and the only candidate who supports land-based casino expansion is Republican Mike Heffernan.
Florida
Florida is also looking at land-based casino expansion as well as online gambling legislation. Here it seems that the future of gaming will depend on the next governor. Current Republican Governor Rick Scott has expressed his support for Sheldon Adelson's ban on online gambling, and while his Democratic opponent Charlie Crist (formerly a Repbulican) hasn't clarified where he stands, he is certainly a better choice for any hope of iGaming in Florida. The race between the two is very close and polls have the two candidates deadlocked.
Anti-Online Gambling Candidates
One of the fiercest fighters for US iGaming regulation, The Poker Players' Alliance (PPA), has published a list of 22 anti-iGaming politicians. The full list can be found at the PPA website, but here are four key candidates: Two from Pennsylvania which is sitting on the fence about iGaming, and two from Texas – one whose running for Governor.
Pennsylvania: Rep. Charles Dent (Republican), House 15th district; State Rep. Mario Scavello (Republican), State House.
Texas: Attorney General Greg Abbott (Republican), Candidate for Governor; Rep. Charles Smith (Republican), House 21st District.
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