When we say “bets” we don’t necessarily mean that the casino industry is wagering money on the winner of the election. The expression simply means they are spending a lot of money to support presidential candidates. Behind this generosity lies a wish to speed up legislative issues which are paralyzing the US online poker and internet casino markets.
Las Vegas Sun newspaper estimates that the gambling industry will spend at least $50 million on supporting Barack Obama and his opposing candidate Mitt Romney. According to the newspapers, the biggest contributor is Sheldon Adelson, owner of Las Vegas Sands, who is well known for his anti-online gambling views.
It is no secret that different industries and their lobby groups spend millions of dollars financing US politics, but 50 million coming from one industry is very substantial financial support.
OpenSecrets.org reports that most of the major players of the gambling industry are spreading their donations almost evenly between the two candidates, but Adelson has donated most of his $34 million contribution to Republican committees.
During the last presidential election the gambling industry reportedly spent $17 million on financing the candidates. The heavily increased lobbying shows the importance of online poker and gambling legislation for companies interested in the US market.