In the United States, midterm elections are rarely a major event. Unless a Senator is facing his or her voters at the completion of his or her six-year term, the highest-ranking post up for election is indeed the House of Representatives.

However, elections for governor are held in several states. Some states, however, will be hosting elections and/or referendums soon that may have far-reaching consequences for online poker, sports betting, and the gambling industry as a whole.

How Likely Is It That Nevada Will See The End Of Online Poker?

Nevada’s online poker business began in 2013. Although it has had varying levels of success – the very first online poker operation in the province, Ultimate Poker, collapsed within a year – it has been a relatively stable outlet that generates roughly $1 million per month (official statistics aren’t released because there aren’t enough sites operating).

November’s election results might change that, so will this lead to a rise of Florida online casinos, or will the all-new regulations make it look unattractive compared to other state laws? Two candidates are running to replace term-limited Governor Brian Sandoval.

The “purple” state will select between Democrat Steve Sisolak & Republican Adam Laxalt (there are candidates for two minor parties and a “none of these candidates” choice, but we’ll focus on online poker risks). Sisolak hasn’t addressed internet gaming in Nevada, but his opponent has.

Laxalt, Nevada’s attorney general, opposes internet gambling and poker. Laxalt signed an open letter seeking risks and returns involved in the Wire Act in December 2016. The 2011 DOJ finding that the Wire Act only applied to sports betting allowed states to pursue internet gambling and poker.

Laxalt’s hostility to casinos, notably MGM Resorts, and Caesars Entertainment, has extended into his governor’s race. Sheldon Adelson, the owner/operator of Las Vegas Sands Corporation, has spent millions to crush internet gambling & poker on the state & federal levels.

If Laxalt becomes Nevada’s governor – he leads Sisolak by a tiny margin in four polls – will he ban online poker? Or will he manifest it like Elon Musk’s $44 billion Twitter takeover?

Is Florida Poised to Become a Leader in the Casino Industry?

With Amendment 3 in Florida, voters there will be deciding on one of the most consequential ballot measures in the country during the soon to be midterm elections.

The citizens of the Sunshine State will be asked to vote on a constitutional amendment titled “The Voter Control of Gambling in Florida” (Amendment 3). As such, it would mandate that a majority of voters in the state must approve the initiative at the polls before any new casinos could be erected.

The stakes are high for this Amendment because of the participants. The Seminole Indian tribe and the huge Disney Corporation have spent almost $25 million on an AstroTurf group called Voters for Change, which is intended to seem like a grassroots initiative despite being wholly financed by businesses.

These politicians are heavily advertising on television in an effort to get people to vote “yes” on the Amendment. Neither the Seminoles nor the Mouse House has any reason to work together. The two are working to protect their statewide monopolies.

With its ownership of the Hard Rock Hotel brand, the Seminole Indian tribe in Florida effectively controls the casino gambling industry throughout the state. Casino businesses like MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, Boyd Gaming, and others pose a significant threat to their bottom line if they have to compete with new entrants.

Just like Disney was successful in keeping the Orlando region, where Disney World is located, a “family-focused” vacation spot, so too has Disney been successful in keeping the Disney World resort itself a “family-oriented” destination.

Bringing casinos to Orlando might hurt Disney’s bottom line because tourists would stop coming for Mickey Mouse and instead go to “the House.”

Amendment 13 in Florida would outlaw the sport of dog racing within the state. While greyhound racing has been a part of Florida’s history since the 1930s, there is currently a campaign to put a stop to the sport due to concerns about the frequency with which the dogs are raced, their treatment, and the hazards they face. Both this and Amendment 3 are very contentious and the final tally is expected to be close.