In an attempt to garner more support for his stance against online gambling and poker in the United States, Las Vegas Sands Corporation (LVCS) Chief Executive Officer Sheldon Adelson(pictured) has picked up new support, although his methods might be questionable.

In June, LVSC enlisted the aid of a research and consulting firm, The Tarrance Group, to conduct a survey regarding several aspects of gaming, both live and online. The survey was conducted in four states (Pennsylvania, California, Kentucky, and Virginia), covered approximately 2,200 likely voters, and was completed in early October. Last week, The Tarrance Group issued its report in a memo to LVSC.

The four states overall were in support of live casino gaming and the two that currently offer such an outlet, Pennsylvania and California, were for expanding said gaming to increase revenues. Likewise, respondents in three of the four states (Pennsylvania, California, and Kentucky) had a “positive” view of “Vegas-style” casino gambling.

The question regarding online gambling and poker is where the subjects of the survey had a distinctly different idea. All four of the states responded negatively to a question regarding their views on online gaming (California respondents were allegedly 61% against it). In response to another question, all four states opposed legalizing internet gambling and poker

There is no question as to what Adelson’s stance is regarding the online gambling and poker conundrum. Back in June, Adelson penned an op/ed at Forbes.com, where he stated that online gambling was “fool’s gold” and a “plague on our society.” Adelson even had LVSC open an anti-online gaming legislation site, StopInternetGambling.com, later in the month.

There are several drawbacks to the “research” conducted by The Tarrance Group, however. Only 2,200 respondents were recorded for the survey; as of 2012, the four states have a grand total of over 63 million residents. Additionally, The Tarrance Group admits on its own website that it is a “Republican strategic research and polling firm.” If this were the case, the database for the survey would be logically all Republicans. Considering the stance of the GOP in the 2012 election (a plank of the party’s platform was for a ban on Federally regulated online gaming and poker), not surveying a wider portion of the public is problematic.

This doesn’t even begin to bring in the aspects of how the questions were posed to those selected for the survey and other factors such as age and economic status.

Naturally, Adelson’s latest ammunition for his anti-online gaming crusade has brought scorn from the poker community. “Terrible for poker that someone with an incredible influence can be so opposed to an online game like poker,” poster “Blankstairs!” wrote on Two Plus Two. “This is terrible news,” poster “GJS70” concurred, “I assume he is pushing for a Federal ban before too many states pass legislation or are able to compact with each other for viable player pools.”

What Adelson and LVSC, which runs the Venetianand Palazzoin Las Vegas, will do with this survey is unknown at this time. However, using such research, Adelson’s anti-online gaming group could lobby the Federal Government for a ban, stating that the numbers are conclusive that online gambling and poker should never be licensed. We’ll keep you posted on the latest.

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