Paul Ryan Names Anti-Online Gambling Campaign Lobbyist as Chief of Staff

It’s almost a certainty that Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan will become the next House Speaker, and he is wasting little time hiring staff.

Opponents of online gambling will be dismayed to learn that Ryan has just named Capitol Hill veteran and lobbyist, Dave Hoppe, as his proposed chief of staff.

Atop Hoppe’s client list: the Coalition to Stop Internet Gambling.

This is the Sheldon Adelson-backed effort to wage war Web wagering across the U.S.

The odds of getting the companion bill to the lobbying effort, Restore Americas Wire Act (RAWA), passed this session, or even in 2016, remain slim to none. 

2016 will be especially difficult with elections and a fractious caucus.

Still, this could serve as little comfort to the Internet gambling community knowing Adelson’s main man now has a top position with the soon-to-be House Speaker.

- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com