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OBAMA PRESIDENCY
Gaming in an Obama
administration
What will the new
president of the United
States mean for gaming,
both online and in land-
based casinos? Sharon
Harris investigates
T
he 2008 presidential campaign proved to taking the presidential oath of office, reveals little
be one of the most historic, expensive and about his attitudes on gaming. While teaching law in
contentious in US history, lasting 20 Chicago, Obama often advocated states’ rights, so
months. Both parties offered unique some believe he will cede authority over most gaming
candidates …either the first biracial issues to individual jurisdictions.
(Illinois Senator Barack Obama’s mother was white Joseph A. Corbo, Jr., vice-president & general
and his father was African) for president, or the first counsel of the Borgata Resort Casino & Spa in
female vice-president (Alaska Governor Sarah Palin) Atlantic City and president of the Casino Association
for vice-president. of New Jersey (CANJ), urges optimism. He says, “Like
After his November victory, Obama was everyone affected by the economic downturn, we
inaugurated on January 20. He faces challenges and anticipate new opportunities to better our situation
an immediate set of economic, foreign policy and in 2009. The new presidency offers hope of a fresh
domestic crises unthinkable at the campaign’s launch start for our country. We hope President Obama and
in early 2007. Obama has his work cut out for him his administration can create optimism among
through 2012. Americans, helping to restore consumer confidence
Looking forward, most analysts agree that in and improve economic fundamentals.”
2009, gaming will be tested in almost every Most venues operate in diverse geographic and
American jurisdiction. Operators will confront demographic locations. Mike Pollock, managing
economic, labor and political circumstances director of international gaming research and
frequently out of their control. consulting firm Spectrum Gaming Group, says,
With a new Democratic administration and “Casino customers are a microcosm of the economy,
majority in both the House of Representatives and reflecting the current domestic income, housing and
the Senate, will American gaming – both commercial employment. First, President Obama needs to free up
and tribal – fare better? How will it change, if at all, capital and put more disposable income in the
from the eight years of the Bush administration? consumers’ hands.”
No one has the answer. For this article, most Acknowledging the public’s reluctance to spend in
sources could only speculate on Obama’s future late 2008, Pollock supports a stimulus package.
positions. Some reluctantly acknowledged this “Historically, consumers were not saving, believing in
election as the American electorate’s taking a “leap of real estate values and stock portfolios. If their houses
faith” into the unknown. were great investments, why bother saving?
Obama’s short national political career, prior to Americans saved at a negative rate in 2005 and
34 FEBRUARY 2009
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