The issue over possibly legalizing and regulating online casinos in the United States is a complex and tricky one. People try to simply it by using stereotypes, claiming that Democrats are for it but Republicans against it for moral reasons. They say that land-based casinos are against it. Others say that the online casinos and gambling proponents don’t care about problem gambling or other issues that it could cause. None of those people are right.

The truth is that there is support and opposition on both ends of the political spectrum. Most casinos and online gambling supporters are concerned with gambling addiction and do everything they can to minimize the problem. There is surely a lot of opposition from the land-based casinos, most vocally from Steve Wynn, who owns the Mirage, Bellagio, Wynn and more. However, some of his competitors feel differently.

In an article last weekend with the New York Post, entrepreneur Donald Trump spoke out in favor of the federal government legalizing and regulating online casinos. Trump, a known conservative, is one of the best-known businessmen in America. Along with his popular reality TV show, his hair, and his tower, Trump is probably best known for owning the three largest casinos in Atlantic City. Many land-based casino owners see online gambling as a threat, as competition that would hurt them. The Donald sees things differently, though.

“Why lose all those billions of revenue?” he asked, echoing the point made by many that tax revenue from online casinos would help a struggling economy in the throes of a deep recession. Trump knows a thing or two about tax revenue. According to the Post, his three Atlantic City casinos combine to be the largest taxpayer in the city.

Expounding on his pro-online gambling stance, Trump said that “online gambling is going to happen; why not have it work to the public advantage.” As a possible harbinger of things to come, the House Financial Services Committee recently voted to pass the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act, a bill that would repeal UIGEA and legalize and regulate online gambling in America.

Tags: Atlantic City Casinos, Donald Trump casinos, Donald Trump online gambling, gambling legislation, Internet Gambling Regulation Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act, New York Post, Online Casino, online gambling, Steve Wynn, Trump online casinos, UIGEA, Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act