Reid won\'t help?
 

Two friends were having breakfast last week and chatted a bit with Senator Ensign (R-NV). He listened to what they had to say about poker and the UIGEA. He said he hadn't really understood the situation with regard to poker and he would have no problem with a carveout for poker.

He said Harry Reid could do it with a "wave of his hand" but had no intention of it. "He isn't interested in doing anything which would help online gaming."

Interesting fodder.

Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) is the Senate Majority Leader, for those who aren't up on these things.

Looks like nothing is going to happen for the good of online poker.

Re: Reid won\'t help?
 

Senator Reid would change his mine in a heartbeat if the Nevada casinos where/could be involved with on-line gambling.

Re: Reid won\'t help?
 

I beleive someone stated that Reid thought about it filibustering the ports act (because of the gaming provisions) but decided it was best not to.

Also, the big US casinos were in favor of online gaming. However, the did not actively lobby against the gaming bill either. Overall its a small positive for their business because it gets people interested in going to Vegas.

However, its probably fairly obvious that they know this bill could lead to an end game where US casinos are allowed to offer poker in the US. Hence, their opposition reallly is not that deep and that is probably why Reid has little initerest in the matter.

Im not a conspriracy theorist and i definitely dont beleive the US cainos were the force behind the bill. However, there really was not that much reason for them to fight it. Since Reid is a major ally i guess he felt little need to support online gaming either.

Sen Ensign is not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but he\'s correct
 

The way the issue is addressed is important.

It is not likely that Harry Reid would do anything to help "online gaming" as such, that is a given.

However, he would do everything to help Nevada gaming interests. Marry the two interests together and he'll hold the chupa. The future is legalized online gaming in the US within 3 years, with barriers to entry like they have in Nevada currently*.

Whether Senator Reid would support a given piece of legislation is highly dependent upon who is asking, why, and how it helps his home State or its major industry. A blanket appeal to help "online gaming" will get nowhere.

Senator Ensign eventually would act just like Harry Reid.

Re: Reid won\'t help?
 

"I beleive someone stated that Reid thought about it filibustering the ports act (because of the gaming provisions) but decided it was best not to."

Absoluely ZERO credibility to that tale.

The legalization IS coming, just not in the next two years.
 

Terry Lanni (MGM), Sheldon Adelson (Venetian) and Harrahs are all eager to get into the online game. It will take over a year to get the regulatory ducks in a row for server-based gaming; then things will happen quickly for legalization of online/remote gaming tied to Brick & Mortar licensees.

Re: The legalization IS coming, just not in the next two years.
 

"Terry Lanni (MGM), Sheldon Adelson (Venetian) and Harrahs are all eager to get into the online game. It will take over a year to get the regulatory ducks in a row for server-based gaming; then things will happen quickly for legalization of online/remote gaming tied to Brick & Mortar licensees."

Does anyone have any idea of how this would work? Would you only be allowed to play online while in Nevada or other states where gambling is legal?

Re: Reid won\'t help?
 

and when were you named God of All Knowledge on the Interwebs?

or is that a self appointed position?

Re: The legalization IS coming, just not in the next two years.
 

[ QUOTE ]
"Terry Lanni (MGM), Sheldon Adelson (Venetian) and Harrahs are all eager to get into the online game. It will take over a year to get the regulatory ducks in a row for server-based gaming; then things will happen quickly for legalization of online/remote gaming tied to Brick & Mortar licensees."

Does anyone have any idea of how this would work? Would you only be allowed to play online while in Nevada or other states where gambling is legal?

[/ QUOTE ]

In theory, since it'd be on the internet, it'd be a federal issue due to crossing state lines, so I'm guessing everyone in the US could play. Would they allow people from other countries would be another issue.

Re: Reid won\'t help?
 

Soo.. a Republican politician told you he was on your side after voting against you, and then told you that it was also a Democrat's fault and you believed it.

Did he happen to mention how Reid could do it? I'm guessing not.

I'm sure Reid could burn a lot of political capital, and sacrifice a lot of other things to get it done, but "wave of a hand" is a complete lie.