While most people are paying attention to the Presidential race in the U.S. today, there are also ballot measures in at least 5 states this election regarding online and offline gambling. In four states – Rhode Island, Oregon, Ohio and Arkansas – this year’s 2012 election ballot includes a measure to allow online gambling in the state where none has existed before.
The biggest press in gambling measures on the 2012 ballot, however, has been going to the state of Maryland, where gaming companies have been spending $72 million to help get Question 7 passed. Question 7 is an offline gambling ballot measure that would allow construction of another land-based casino in Prince George’s County as well as increase the kinds of games currently allowed at state casinos, expanding current video lottery operations to include table games like blackjack and roulette.
One other less explicit effect of today’s election on online gambling is the potential make-up of the U.S. Congress, which will be considering at least 1 new bipartisan bill coauthored by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to license and regulate online poker across the entire country.
In the meantime, oddsmakers are favoring President Obama to be reelected to a 2nd term, with a slight edge over Republican hopeful former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. But of course only the people…or the Electoral College, rather, will decide how it all turns out, for the U.S. presidency and for the fate of gambling online and off in at least 5 states, if not the entire country.