Inside Asian Gaming

INSIDE ASIAN GAMING | April 2014 36 FEATURE Kingmaker In Waiting Three of the most prominent US governors—New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and Ohio Gov. John Kasich—all touted as potential Republican presidential candidates in 2016, spoke at the spring leadership meeting of the Republican Jewish Coalition—which has long promoted a staunchly pro-Israel and interventionist foreign policy—on 29th March. The governors ostensibly sought to present advice about how a divided and demoralized Republican Party should refocus to reclaim the White House, but according to the Washington Post , their political objective was to build relationships with potential benefactors who could bankroll future campaigns. A few hundred powerful Jewish donors—none more heavily courted than billionaire casinomagnate SheldonAdelson—attended the RJC meeting, hosted at Mr Adelson’s Venetian in Las Vegas. Mr Adelson and his wife, Miriam, spent more than $93 million in the 2012 elections and have signaled they will spend heavily in the next presidential campaign. Governors Christie, Walker and Kasich—as well as former Republican presidential hopefuls seek billionaire benefactor New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie addresses the spring leadership meeting of the Republican Jewish Coalition. Florida governor Jeb Bush—each met privately with Mr Adelson in what some political observers have dubbed “the Sheldon Primary.” Andy Abboud, Mr Adelson’s top political adviser and the senior vice president for governmental relations at Las Vegas Sands Corp., described the meetings as casual. He said Mr Adelson is familiar with the governors’ positions on Israel and online gaming—two issues Harry Reid, a Democrat who holds the powerful position of majority leader, and Republican Dean Heller, both of whom want a carve-out for online poker consistent with the law in effect in Nevada, which authorizes only poker. The Democratic Governors Association, representing states considering legalization or with state-sponsored lotteries looking to expand online, also responded by releasing a letter objecting to the bills. Among AGA members, Mr Adelson’s Las Vegas Sands Corp. is the one outspoken opponent of Internet gambling. Steve Wynn’s Wynn Resorts is on record as skeptical of the financial benefits but so far has been sitting out the political fight. Estimates of the revenue potential range nationally from US$3.5 Among AGA members, Mr Adelson’s Las Vegas Sands Corp. is the one outspoken opponent of Internet gambling. Steve Wynn’s Wynn Resorts is on record as skeptical of the financial benefits but so far has been sitting out the political fight. billion to $5 billion, with some analysts projecting upwards of $9 billion. Mr Adelson, however, makes most of his money in Asia and believes Web gambling poses a societal threat, particularly to children and individuals vulnerable to problem gambling, that ultimately will damage the image and interests of the mainstream industry in the US, where LVS also has a significant presence. The company is backing a broad national campaign, led by a group called the Coalition to Stop Internet Gambling, to make sure that position is heard. Mr Adelson’s lavish spending on US election campaigns guarantees him a ready audience among Republicans inWashington on domestic and international issues, namely with regard to labor unions, which he opposes, and the idea of a greater Israel, which he