Q1 SPENDING ON U.S. E-GAMING LOBBYING RAMPS UP
5/5/10 – The BolaVerde Media Group reports that thirty-six different parties spent a combined estimated $5.16 million lobbying the Internet gambling legalization issue in Washington, D.C. during the first quarter of 2010.
Harrah’s Entertainment Inc, which has online interests through its Interactive division led the way, spending $1.22 million in the first quarter of this year alone – an increase of 73 percent from the fourth quarter of 2009.
BolaVerde has issued a report examining US lobbying activity on e-gaming and how it is being influenced by companies such as Harrah's, Wynn Resorts, MGM Mirage, PokerStars, PartyGaming, Intralot USA, the National Football League, Betfair’s US division and Gtech, among others.
The top five lobbying companies was rounded out by the Poker Players Alliance at $785 000, UC Group at $717 239, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (USCC) at $664 442 and the Interactive Gaming Council at $412 580, a BolaVerde spokesman revealed.
He said that the first quarter's total was down 16 percent from the fourth quarter of 2009–a drop-off primarily attributable to the USCC, the country’s biggest-spending special interest group, which, between the fourth quarter and the first, reduced online gambling outlay by 66 percent.
BolaVerde’s Q1 Internet Gambling Federal Lobbying Report analyses total lobbying spend in the first quarter by company, per bill.
The report also takes note of some significant changes — like the American Gaming Association's dramatic increase in Q1 spend and Intralot USA's striking decrease in spend, together with significant political developments affecting, and affected by, lobbying efforts.
BolaVerde md Mark Balestra comments: "As is the case with any industry, special interests play an important role in shaping future policy. In this sense, an evaluation of lobbying strategies and spending trends lends pretty good insight into how things could pan out in Washington."
More information at: http://www.bvmediagroup.com/BVconnection/Reports.aspx
