The United Kingdom recently discovered a large gambling debt incurred by a minor (over $90,000), that has put his family in financial jeopardy, and also that 30% of minors surveyed, admitted to gambling illegally.

But what isn't clear from these articles, is any personal gain, benefiting Mr. Adelson for opposing betting at home or work, by smart phone or computer. Online gaming in Nevada has a minor impact on commercial casino gaming, but not for the Strip casinos, where Las Vegas Sands’ properties are.

But online gaming does have an impact on Atlantic City casinos and most likely will have on casinos in states now introducing online gaming, including sports betting, with hundreds of in-game and proposition bets available on many sporting events.

Mr. Adelson's only other US casino is located in Bethlehem, PA, and is being sold to Wind Creek Hospitality, a subsidiary of the Alabama Porch Band of Creek Indians, so online gaming will not harm him in Pennsylvania.

With no personal gain for the LVS Company, I have to believe that Mr. Adelson's intent is to reduce the risk of many more Americans becoming problem gamblers and making it more difficult for minors to gamble.

Personally, I see online gaming - especially online sports betting - harming the existing casino industry in many states, that have developed significant multimillion dollar or billion dollar projects, that are very different than casinos in Europe.

Other gaming expansions, like Illinois, allowing 5 video gaming terminals in any business that can obtain a liquor license, now exceeds 30,000 machines. These machines have severely impacted the revenues, jobs and taxes from the original 9 riverboat casinos. Casino tax payments, at the original 9 riverboats, have declined by $530 million (over 60%), between 2007 and 2017, and the taxes paid by the 28,000 VGT's in 2017, was only $390 million.

So, it took the 10th riverboat, in Des Plaines, to add $167 million in taxes, for the combined tax from riverboat casinos and VGT's in 2017 to finally pass the $834 million paid in 2007 - but just by $34 million.
Another issue, that most states should be concerned about, is the potential negative impact that online gaming and sports betting will have on their state lotteries that benefit so many admirable issues, like education.

In most states, online sports betting will earn 1% or less on sports betting handle (or amount bet), compared to the 25 to 40% earned on lottery bets made. So, a dramatic increase in online sports betting, so convenient at home or work, could have a much larger impact on lottery supported, state programs.

I totally agree that states should be allowed to control their own legislation and oversight of gaming issues, but I also believe that individuals, like Mr. Adelson, should be able to make their positions known, even if a financial benefit was at stake.