The Republican presidential candidates debates have covered a lot of ground, from issues concerning the U.S. economy to building a wall at the border with Mexico. When the candidates were asked at one debate to opine on whether daily fantasy sports meet "the definition of gambling," Jeb Bush responded that it is "day trading without any regulation at all," while Chris Christie said government should "let people play."
According to the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006, certain fantasy sports games may be excluded from the definition of gambling, because they do not require a "bet" or "wager." Yet, the jury is still out as to whether or not daily fantasy sports operations fall within the scope of that exception.
Assume that daily fantasy sports operations are separate and apart from traditional online gambling. Many of the candidates have not laid out clear positions on the legalization of online bets and wagers, but it's possible to surmise where they would likely stand.
At one point in time, Trump was known more for his Atlantic City casinos then his popular catch phrases like "you're fired" or more recently, "Make America Great Again." Now he is doing his best to at least tell the public that he is against being swayed by outside influences by refusing to accept campaign contributions.
Who is one of the largest supporters of Republican candidates? Sheldon Adelson is near the top, with an estimated net worth of $29.1 billion. The "casino mogul" reportedly spent roughly $150 million during the 2012 presidential election and is likely opening up his wallet again as the 2016 election approaches.
Many suspect that Marco Rubio is Adelson's favorite potential nominee, and as Rubio rises up the ranks, Trump may consider pointing out the donations Rubio could be receiving from men like Adelson.
Adelson will reportedly do whatever it takes to ban online gambling. Thus, Trump may be inclined to take the opposite position and support the expansion of gambling on the Internet.
"We suspect that [Donald] Trump is the most likely candidate to be in favor of the proliferation of online gambling in the U.S.," said 10Bet Marketing Director Ron Zlluf. "While Chris Christie may take a similar approach, he seems too far out of contention at the moment to be taken seriously."
In 2011, Trump said that online gambling "has to happen because many other countries are doing it and like usual the U.S. is just missing out." He would probably take the same position today.
Ben Carson
Carson has been quiet when it comes to online gambling, but the quickest riser in the Republican Party appears to be extremely conservative when it comes to social issues. Thus, it is unlikely that he takes a proactive position in legalizing online gambling.
If anything, Carson is much more likely to leave this issue up to the states.
A good resource that may provide an indication as to Carson's disposition on the subject is a recent American Conservative Union (ACU) statement on online gambling. ACU Executive Director Dan
However, Schneider further notes that, "the American Conservative Union does not see the kind of broad-based harm to justify Federal intrusion into the rights of states to govern themselves. We must never forget that when we grow the power of the Federal government to limit people’s freedoms, we also empower it to mandate other aspects of our lives."
Carson may not actively press the federal government to ban online gambling (unlike some other candidates); he is likely to leave such an issue up to the states.
Marco Rubio
As stated above, it appears that Rubio has gained the favor of Adelson, who is one of the most important Republican Party backers. Adelson is not one that Rubio will want to disappoint.
One of the main reasons why Adelson has shifted his support to Rubio is the Florida Senator's support of the Restoration of America's Wire Act (RAWA).
Rubio and Lindsey Graham (whom has also announced his candidacy for the presidency) have been proponents of RAWA, which would expand the banning of certain gambling operations to include online gambling. Adelson has not been shy in making it known that he is in firm support of the legislation.
Rubio recently said that he would be in favor of carving out online poker from RAWA, which may not sit well with Adelson.
Jeb Bush
"I’m not a big gambler so I don’t know any gambling—does that sound stupid when you say that?," earned Bush "Quote of the Day" honors on Political Wire. It could also reveal Bush's position on online gambling and gambling in general.
In 2008, Bush reportedly said, "Florida is family friendly, wholesome, prosperous place [and] gambling doesn’t have a part in that."
Yet, in 2011, after Bush had relinquished his role as governor of Florida, he stated, "I opposed gambling expansion, but I’m not governor anymore."
Perhaps Bush has come off his anti-gambling positions of the past, but what does that say about his stance on online gambling? Bush is also known to have a relationship with Adelson, although ties between the two may have started to tear earlier this year.
Bush has not expressed his favor or opposition to RAWA, and certainly cannot be predicted to be as staunchly opposed to online gambling as Rubio, but it is likely that Bush also falls on the side of the spectrum that opposes legalized online gambling,
Ted Cruz
Cruz is all about killing the "cronyism" in Washington D.C., while preserving and protecting states' rights. Do not expect Cruz to come close to supporting a bill like RAWA that seeks to step on the toes of states that would otherwise possibly be able to make their own decisions on online gambling.
Rand Paul
"I’m opposed to restrictions on online gambling. The government needs to stay out of that business," said Paul in an interview on The Alpha Pages.
It is likely that Paul stays far away from Adelson and RAWA. Put Paul in the group that is not looking to place a target on online gambling.
Chris Christie
Once a front runner for the Republican Party ticket, Christie finds himself at the back of the pack. That is too bad for online gambling proponents, as Christie may be the biggest supporter of the proliferation of same.
New Jersey became the third state in the U.S. to allow online gambling, and it was done under Christie's watch as governor of the state. While it would be rare that any Republican presidential candidate supports the federal government intervening to tell states that they are to allow online gambling within their borders (that would anger the Republican core that calls for state rights), Christie is likely the best candidate to support online gambling's proliferation and could cite to the revenues received from it, which benefited his state's budget.
Darren Heitner is a lawyer and the Founder of South Florida-based HEITNER LEGAL, P.L.L.C., which has a focus on Sports Law and Entertainment Law.
