Adam Laxalt Is Running For NV Governor And Hates Online Gambling

Last September, 20 Attorneys General from various states filed briefs supporting New Jersey in a Supreme Court case regarding sports betting. Even though Nevada is the only state with fully regulated sports betting, it was not among these states.

Perhaps the state was aiming to maintain its unique position as the sole location for casino sports betting. Besides, it enjoys additional gambling-related benefits over other states as well. For instance, Nevada is among the trio of states that regulate online gambling.

However, the same AG who should have protected the industry chose not to. In 2016, he joined nine other state AGs in writing a letter to President Donald Trump’s incoming administration. They urged the new team to reconsider the Department of Justice’s stance on the Federal Wire Act.

The Attorney General, Adam Laxalt, is currently serving Nevada. He is now leading the race to be the Republican nominee for the Governor of Nevada.

Laxalt a rare anti-gambling Nevada lawmaker

The current leader of the state, Gov. Brian Sandoval, is unable to run for re-election due to term limits. Both he and Laxalt are members of the Republican party. However, they differ in their priorities, as Sandoval prioritized the expansion of online gambling during his tenure, unlike Laxalt.

Laxalt allegedly incurred Sandoval’s wrath when he signed a 2016 letter urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to re-evaluate its limited interpretation of the Wire Act. By advocating for a broad interpretation of the Wire Act, Laxalt is effectively calling on the federal government to consider online poker and sports betting activities in Nevada as illegal.

An interpretation like this would put a stop to the current online gambling industries in Delaware and New Jersey. The upcoming iGaming industry in Pennsylvania would also be impacted.

Look no further than Adelson to explain Laxalt’s stance

Laxalt isn’t the sole leader in Nevada who markedly differs from the majority in the gaming industry. Sands Corp CEO Sheldon Adelson also strongly opposes online gambling. Additionally, he is a prominent political donor to both Trump and Laxalt.

Dan Schwartz, also a GOP candidate for Governor, often highlights Laxalt’s close ties to Adelson during his campaign. Currently serving as the State Treasurer, Schwartz is seen as somewhat of a maverick within the GOP, holding views that span both ends of the political spectrum.

It is evident where Laxalt stands on the topic of online casinos, however the position of the rest of the field remains uncertain. Considering that neither Schwartz nor the leading Democrat, Steve Sisolak, have discussed the topic, it appears they are comfortable with the current state of online poker.

The deadline for candidate registration was Friday, marking the start of a more serious phase in the race. Both primaries have a considerable number of contenders, but Laxalt, backed by Adelson’s influence, might be a cause for concern for online players in Nevada.

Stringer Photo by David Calvert