The American Gaming Association (AGA) has lobbied on behalf of gambling industry stakeholders since its beginnings in 1996. But from its very inception, the trade group has taken a frustratingly wishy-washy stance on online gambling – first opposing it, while later supporting it, then taking no stance at all. WSOP Media Director Nolan Dalla recently took to his blog to highlight the AGA’s contradictory positions and has accused the association of “betraying” poker players.

In the scathing editorial, Dalla describes how the AGA, along with the majority of the casino industry, viewed online poker in the industry’s early days. “Initially, the AGA was against virtually all forms of online gambling and even encouraged government crackdowns on ‘illegal offshore operators,’ he said.

It was in 2001 that the organization officially announced its opposition to online gambling, voicing concerns that the industry could not be properly policed. “While the board maintains its view that gaming is primarily a state regulatory matter, the consensus…is that appropriate regulatory and law enforcement oversight does not presently exist with regard to Internet gaming to properly protect the integrity of the games,” it said in a statement at the time.

But as Internet gambling started to explode in popularity, the AGA slowly began to change its tune, softening its stance with the release of several white papers. These documents called for legalization of online gambling at the federal level, and solidified the organization’s new stance as iGaming proponents.

“Without Congressional action, the U.S. is poised to see widespread legalization of all types of online gambling and a state-by-state patchwork of regulations that puts gaming patrons, problem gamblers and minors at unnecessary risk,” it said in 2012. That piecemeal legalization of the industry by individual states is exactly what we’re seeing now, minus the security failings.

By 2013, the AGA was “all in” on regulating online gambling and released another statement in opposition to “government efforts to prohibit use of everyday products.” They again argued that strong regulations would help protect online gamblers, while blocking the industry would only serve to strengthen black-market, overseas providers.

But as soon as casino tycoon Sheldon Adelson decided to wage war against iGaming, however, the AGA was seemingly thrown into disarray. Last May, the AGA’s Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Freeman, told the Wall Street Journal that the organization could not come to a consensus on the issue of online gambling and would instead focus on other affairs.

“One of the things I’ve learned in this industry is we are extraordinarily competent at shooting at one another,” said Freeman. “The snipers in this industry are of the highest quality and, if you let that be the focus, we’ll kill each other.”

Dalla argues that while the AGA doesn’t represent “rank-and-file poker players and gamblers,” its refusal to take a stance on the issue has resulted in the loss of credibility with the public. The media director also suggests that if Sheldon Adelson had not been involved, the organization would still be in favor of legalizing online gambling. “There is simply no other explanation for such a ridiculous course of events,” he said.

Adelson is poised to take his fight against iGaming to the next level, and has personally influenced politicians like Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham and Representative Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) with massive donations. The billionaire’s personally tailored legislation has been reintroduced by Chaffetz and will soon be discussed in a congressional committee.

“Meanwhile, the American Gaming Association — the industry’s main voice in Washington — will either be a no show or will chose to remain silent,” Dalla said. “Hence, they’ll abdicate leadership when it’s desperately needed the most. They take no position on the matter. They have nothing to say.”

Want the latest poker headlines and interviews? Follow PocketFives on Twitterand Like PocketFives on Facebook.