Across America, locally-based gambling firms are embracing the shift to online media. Companies like Caesars and MGM are jumping at the chance to secure online gambling licenses, but one major gaming operator continues to resist. This week, Las Vegas Sands CEO Sheldon Adelson, announced that he is morally opposed to online gambling. “What is the purpose of putting a casino on everybody’s kitchen table?” he asks.
Adelson is opposed to making casinos more accessible, allowing players to gamble from virtually anywhere. Although Las Vegas Sands is one of the biggest gambling operators in the world, his casinos are not easily accessible. He argues that online casino players can take their laptops to bed with them, play pokies on the subway and never really detach themselves from the activity.
As such, Adelson believes that online gambling firms are feeding on the weaknesses of vulnerable individuals. “You can also make the argument for legalizing heroin and cocaine and prostitution — you can legalize, creating a lot of sin tax just so that the government can earn money,” Adelson says. “That’s not a good reason to inflict our society with gaming addiction.”
He is also concerned about the risk of underage gambling that is presented by online gaming. Adelson is aware that many underage individuals can set up online poker and online casino accounts, whereas they would be turned away from land-based casinos. While Adelson makes a compelling argument, it cannot be denied that his stance is somewhat hypocritical.
As the owner of one of the biggest casino brands in the world, he certainly contributes to rising problem gambling rates. While land-based casinos do have stricter problem gambler and underage gambling policies, they continue to offer players potentially addictive activities. So, while it is acceptable that Adelson does not want to get involved in the online gaming market, it does not seem fair for him to completely denounce it.
About the Author
