Competing poker rooms in Reno are now also on opposite sides of the ongoing debate on the legalization of online gaming in the US.
John Farahi, CEO of Monarch Casinos & Resorts, Inc — owners of the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa in Reno — came out publicly Tuesday afternoon “1,000 percent” against online gaming in the U.S in an interview with Jon Ralston of RalstonReports.com.
Some 400 meters away from the Atlantis, the owners of the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino entered earlier this month into a partnership agreement with Ultimate Poker, one of three legal online poker sites in Nevada. Players on Ultimate Poker soon can make deposits and withdrawals at the Peppermill and its northern Nevada caasino properties.
The two casinos vie on a daily basis for the majority of the brick-and-mortar poker revenue in Reno. Now they are on opposite sides of the national debate on legalizing online gaming. via Farahi’s public comments and the Peppermill’s partnership with an online poker site.
The debate dealing with online gaming, led by Las Vegas Sands CEO Sheldon Adelson’s arguments for a Federal ban, prompted some poker players last summer to boycott Adelson’s Venetian poker room.
A number of players continue to voice opinions today on both sides of the debate. What are your thoughts on this debate, and the Atlantis CEO’s stance? Add them in our comments.
Dan is the founder of PokerLiveUpdates, a veteran poker tournament reporter who can be found wandering somewhat aimlessly through tournament arenas worldwide. As a founding member of FunTour2.0, he searches for the best in craft beer at all locations in the poker world.
