January 13, 2010 (CAP Newswire) — As Democratic Senator Harry Reid continues to face fallout from controversial comments made in 2008, the online gambling world speculates on what may happen if the Nevada senator is forced to resign his position.
Currently the Senate Majority Leader — and therefore one of the most powerful political figures in America — Harry Reid is considered to be a major opponent of any change in the online gambling laws in the U.S.
That’s because, being from Nevada, Reid is supported by that state’s financial interests — a big chunk of which are land-based casinos. Nevada, the home of Las Vegas and Reno, generally doesn’t support a more liberal approach to online gambling because of the competition it would create. (Never mind the fact that smart, progressive companies like Harrah’s are already figuring out ways to profit from online gambling, instead of simply regarding it as a threat.)
“There is no doubt that Senator Reid has been forthcoming in his plan to protect the Nevada casino industry, and one way to do that is to oppose online gambling,” Gaming Analyst Steve Schwartz recently told Casino Gambling Web. “If Reid were to step down, that may open the door a little wider for regulated online gambling.” Read that article here.