12 December 2025
Online poker is being discussed during this week in the United States. The US Congress Committee on Energy and Commerce has heard the various parties involved in this process and, yesterday, the Las Vegas Sands representative didn't have an easy day.
The original intention of the debate was to discuss the draft law HG 2666, written by Joe Barton (a Texas republican), nicknamed Project Poker Freedom Act. The conversation, however, eventually got to online gaming and its safety.
Last Tuesday was Andy Abboud's turn, Las Vegas Sands vice-president, to be heard. Abboud gave voice to Adelson's stance, who is publicly against online gambling and has said he is willing to " spend whatever it takes". Abboud began by picking up his cellphone, a gesture that he made repeatedly to appeal to members of the Committee, so that they understood the danger that is to turn every mobile phone in a portable casino.
It was at this time that Jan Schakowsky and Joe Barton attacked Abboud's position and, consequently, Adelson's. Barton noted that at the Las Vegas Venetian, owned by the Las Vegas Sands group, a person can play for real money on his mobile phone, wherever he is in the hotel. Schakowsky said the following about Abboud's incoherence:
"It feels to me a little hypocritical".
John Pappas, executive director of the Poker Players Alliance, was also present in the audience and stated the following:
"On one hand they claim a ‘moral objection’ to Internet and mobile gaming, yet you don’t have to dig deep to learn that they tout themselves as a leader in the ‘mobile casino’ gaming and sports betting in Nevada. I guess it is OK to gamble on the Internet only when it benefits their bottom line."
If the Poker Freedom Act is approved at the federal level it won't be mandatory for all states, since they have the possibility to opt-out.
