Adam Laxalt Is Running For NV Governor And Hates Online Gambling

Last year in September, 20 Attorneys General from various states across the country filed briefs supporting New Jersey in its Supreme Court case regarding sports betting. Despite being the sole state with completely regulated sports betting, Nevada did not join them.

That’s acceptable, perhaps the state wished to maintain its unique status as the sole location for casino sports betting. It also has additional benefits related to gambling compared to other states. For instance, Nevada is among the three states where online gambling is regulated.

However, when it came to defending that industry, the exact same AG chose not to. Rather, in 2016, he was among 10 state AGs who sent a letter to President Donald Trump’s transition team, urging the new administration to reconsider the Department of Justice’s stance on the Federal Wire Act.

The Attorney General referred to is Adam Laxalt of Nevada. He is currently leading the race to be the Republican nominee for the position of Nevada’s Governor.

Laxalt a rare anti-gambling Nevada lawmaker

The current leader of the state, Gov. Brian Sandoval, is not eligible for re-election due to term limits. Sandoval, like Laxalt, is a member of the Republican party. However, their political priorities differ; while in office, one of Sandoval’s main focuses was the expansion of online gambling, a stance not shared by Laxalt.

Laxalt allegedly angered Sandoval when he signed a 2016 letter urging the DOJ to rethink its restrictive opinion of the Wire Act. By advocating for a broader interpretation of the Wire Act, Laxalt is essentially pushing the federal government to label Nevada’s online poker and sports betting as illegal.

This interpretation could lead to the closure of the existing online gambling industries in Delaware and New Jersey. It could also impact the upcoming Pennsylvania iGaming industry.

Look no further than Adelson to explain Laxalt’s stance

Laxalt isn’t the only leader in Nevada who starkly differs from most others in the gaming industry. Sheldon Adelson, the CEO of Sands Corp, is also vehemently against online gambling. Moreover, he is among the top political donors to both Trump and Laxalt.

Dan Schwartz, a fellow GOP governor candidate, often highlights Laxalt’s close ties to Adelson during his campaign events. He currently serves as the State Treasurer. Schwartz is seen as somewhat of a wildcard among his GOP peers, holding political views that span across the spectrum.

Laxalt’s position on online casinos is well-known, but the stances of the rest of the field are unclear. Since Schwartz and Democratic frontrunner Steve Sisolak have never brought up the subject, it appears they are comfortable with the current state of online poker.

The cut-off date for candidate registration was Friday, marking the beginning of a serious race with numerous competitors in both primaries. However, with Adelson’s substantial support behind him, Laxalt may be a significant concern for online players in Nevada.

Stringer Photo by David Calvert