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Posted by on Sep 28, 2014 in Blog, Las Vegas, Personal | 13 comments

Sheldon Adelson Scheduled to Speak at Gambling Conference — What Should I Do?

 

sheldon-adelson

 

This year’s convention includes a keynote address by one of the most distasteful people in America.  Online poker nemesis, robber baron, political oligarch, warmonger, and all-around despicable human being Sheldon Adelson will pollute the merry gathering with his pompous views.

 

All this week, I’ll be attending the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) which is held here in Las Vegas.

This is the gambling industry’s largest annual gathering.

I’ve attended half of the conventions held so far — seven years out of 14.  I was even a speaker at two seminars, this dating back to the time when the poker boom was the hottest new topic in the casino business.  Remember the good old days?  Now, poker has been reduced to near oblivion, this judging by its lack of inclusion on the list of 70 or so seminars.  Poker doesn’t appear anywhere on the schedule.  That’s pretty lame when there’s an hour panel discussion on nightclub security, while the only seminar where poker’s likely to come up is in some contrived bitchfest featuring a so-called “bad actor” discussion.  Seriously — a panel discussion on the offshore companies?  Sorry, but this farce has big brother’s fingerprints all over it.  What a joke.

So, what’s attending G2E like?  Well, think of it this way.

Heard of the new movie that’s out now about a giant maze that is impossible to navigate?  Well, that’s the main convention floor.  It’s a never-ending matrix of electronic games and flashy flim-flam shepherded by young, attractive marketing people fresh out of college who’d rather be just about anywhere else than standing on their feet ten hours a day repeating the same script over and over to purchasing agents from any number of mickey mouse Indian casinos.  It’s mind fucking dreadful.  That’s what it is — except for the wine dinner.

Unfortunately, G2E has morphed into a slot warehouse.  It’s like the porn convention, except there’s no sex.  As far as the human eye can see, the entire exhibit floor is cluttered with slot machines and the latest gaming devices.  The hot trend now is branding the same old shitty games with fashionable pop culture icons.  Every successful television series and celebrity now seems to have a slot machine, either themed after the show or its characters.  Of course, the microchips and spinning wheels are the same.  One machine has a picture of Gilligan, while the other has The Sopranos.  It’s become PacMan on steroids — only instead of costing the sucker only a quarter giving several minutes of genuine amusement, the house now holds a dime out of every dollar inserted.  They might as well be hawking pistols and ski masks.

So, why in the hell do I attend?  Two reasons.

First, I know a lot of people in the casino business, who come here from all over the world.  Honestly, I enjoy seeing so many friends and colleagues and this provides a grand function for us to talk, exchange ideas, and perhaps even do business.

Second, some of the hour-long seminars are pretty damned good.  They have tutorials and panel discussions on several subjects, from industry trends to cheating.  But not poker.  This is a rare chance to directly hear from and meet some of the foremost experts in their fields who work in gambling.  I find this face-to-face time, not just essential, but also quite interesting and even exciting.  As for the rest of it, it’s like one of those parties where you glance at your watch and try to stand near an exit.  Fuck it.

This now brings me to a bit of a quandary.

This year’s convention includes a keynote address by one of the most distasteful people in America.  Online poker nemesis, robber baron, political oligarch, warmonger, and all-around despicable human being Sheldon Adelson will pollute the merry gathering with his pompous views this coming Wednesday.  The presence of someone so utterly distasteful on so many levels to so many of us creates a difficult dilemma that I haven’t solved yet.  Perhaps readers might provide some useful advice to me.

To gain a greater understanding of how repulsive Mr. Adelson is on every level to me, imagine the very worst person you can think of, someone who represents everything to which you are opposed.  Then, imagine this person being given the preeminent position and occasion to address thousands of your peers, without any opposition.  Basically, it’s orchestrated indoctrination.

Never mind that the entire fucking convention takes place within the Sands Convention Center, thus allowing Mr. Adelson a decisive home-field friendliness he might not otherwise enjoy elsewhere.  Talk about a stacked deck against any diversity of opinion and a gauntlet against the free exchange of ideas.  Nowhere on the entire schedule are any pro-online poker/gambling speakers featured at all.  Oh, there’s Steve Wynn, who is also scheduled to speak on Tuesday.  He’s reduced himself to a political punch line, a joke of what was once a pioneer, a confused flunky for Mr. Adelson — yet another opponent of the inevitable advancement of modern technology and freedom of consumers to make their own choices about how they wish to gamble.

I honestly don’t know what to do about Mr. Adelson being granted such a high-profile platform to express his perverse positions.  He’s certainly worthy of speaking to a convention based on his position as CEO of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation.  But he’s also a terribly polarizing figure, an anathema to a sizable percentage of convention-goers who will be in the room listening to him troll his self-serving horse-and-buggy beliefs.  Again, where’s the voice of the other side?

Sitting inside the same room while Mr. Adelson gets introduced, followed by his remarks would imply some measure of approval.  Just the mere presence of a human body within the sight and sound of Mr. Adelson implicitly beguiles some level of curiosity at a minimum and outright endorsement at a maximum.  I chose to be grouped with neither.

My conscious tells me to stand up at the very moment Mr. Adelson begins speaking and bolt for the door in a less than inconspicuous way, not saying anything necessarily, but letting it be quite clear that some in the audience won’t sit by like lemmings while he maligns poker and its players, misrepresents the essence of the game, destroys what could be a vibrant online industry, and then smokescreens his involvement as something other than pure fucking selfishness.  Moreover, Mr. Adelson’s attempt to corral his on-the-take political candidates — the open buying of support through hefty campaign contributions — smacks of the worst our worst political suffrages.  There’s still more on Mr. Adelson’s plate to turn one’s stomach including his insane statement that we should “bomb Iran,” but the bottom line is, no person who is so divisive on many levels should be given such a platform without the other side getting equal billing.

Over the years, we’ve seen shoe throwers (George W. Bush, Hillary Clinton) and countless protesters who disrupted proceedings.  Presidents, Secretaries of State, and even Popes have had to face their critics — and sometimes the only way to get a point across is to make a scene.  Frankly, I would have no problem making such a scene and even getting arrested.  However, my base instincts tell me this is not the proper course of action.  Shouting down speakers and disrupting an event, even one that’s prejudiced and polluted, doesn’t produce the intended effect.  This isn’t a lunch counter in Birmingham.  It’s a convention full of star-struck goons in the gambling industry prepared to do just another anything to get ahead.

If I don’t like the speaker, one simple option is to not show up.  Call it a personal boycott.  That might be the most prudent option, but it’s also cowardly.  Running from conflicts isn’t my nature at all, and we who have been fiercely engaged in the political fight to legalize and regulate online poker and gambling in the United States relish to opportunity to stand up against the outright buying of politicians.

So, how does one protest?  What should I do?  Should I attend?  If so, what do I do?

I’d be interested in your comments, either here or on Facebook.

READ: G2E–What I Learned

13 Comments

  1. I like the idea of walking out, and there really isn’t much more that you can do without jeopardizing your future endeavors. Being very conspicuous about your walk out, and having a piece go up on your site at the same time, might get some eyes on it. People will ask

    “Who is that guy? Why is he leaving?”

    And many of them will Google you and find out that you have a site. Put up a blog post that tells the truth about everything Adelson is and what he has done. We know there is more than enough, from money laundering to bribery to political manipulation and outright hypocrisy, there are lots of things you could write about. Skewer him terribly, as only you can do.

    If he causes you problems because of it, let everyone know, tell us all. We will help.

  2. Put together and deliver a speech to air live on the internet after his speech. Turn this into an opportunity for the other side’s voice to be heard.

  3. Hi Nolan, very nice to know you still speak from your heart and thats what I think you should do,at all times.
    That is what make s and made you who you are and stands for what you truly believe in.
    people know that and so I would suggest, that you just close your eyes, amd ask yourself the question: then the heart will tell you,but you have to listen..
    asking should I go?
    should I speak
    should I address these issues.
    Should I ?

    If you just sit down, and feel the answers from the heart, it will guide you thorough this with no schwett.

    You allready know whats best, thats why you placed this article,…

    being preparad in a way that you feel comfortable with the yes or no is what you R looking for now,.

    So it is up to you really and that is why you have to be realistic, concider the options and possible outcome that will or will not take effect after.

    I can only advice you to listen to your heart and speak with your wifeabout this so you can feel the slightest vibrational reaction from yourselfe after when you ask yourself these questions.

    If it feels good then you can go for it..
    If its an unpleasant feel you get,Like a warning sign, than it is a no go..but most important after concidering you have given it a fair chance and did concider it from both ways..

    It is not easy to stand on the barricades alone first untill it is a success, than you will have many support again.. but for the moment there is not many that will take risky things and expose thereselfes to stands like this..Your lovely wife will and your heart as well.

    so listen to them very good is my advice..

    If you go, than be calm and let your heart speak, so it is effertless
    dont make it personal against this Mr Adelson,s or steve Wing, they have their followers and opinion,..
    You rather open their eyes, show the comman sense of it and make them respect you with your calmness and knowledge… but address the legal freedom of speech and choice etc.

    I hope this does help you somehow to do what is right and make s you feel great with, whatever decission you make!

    Good luck Nolan thanks for the support you always give to us all,..

    W & fr re from A silent friend 😉

  4. Imho… your words are your weapon and they can do much more damage when flamed by the right fuel (or gaming douchebag) no… fuel is the polite and high road here 😉 A bright tshirt with a catchphrase that would cut like a knife, worn by none other than your witty self , as your sitting right in front of the stage where he can stare into your eyes and a devilish smile on your face… throw him off (cant say A-game if he aint got no game) but it wouldn’t take much for you to fk him up and look like a shit in front of a crowd. True colours show under pressure. One more thing… Wtf no poker ?? Its turning into something Canadian casinos would do ; concentrate on slots and old lady degen games and NOT THE FUTURE!! Have a great trip and party safe my friend 😉

  5. First, Maverick is so wrong. Online poker is not dead and we want it back, nationwide! Second, when I saw Adelson was the keynote I thought “I have to see this!” Then I thought… “NO F@#*Y@* WAY!” It’s like knowing there is a horrible traffic accident taking place and you get in your car to go watch it.

    Go and let us know what took place. Take one for the team Nolan! lol We’ll collect bail if need be =)

  6. Nolan,

    Get a whole group of like minded individuals together, sign a petition and walk out as a group at the start of Adelson’s talk. You already know what he is going to say, so you don’t have to stay and listen to it.

  7. Bret Maverick didnt see Slot machines on the river boats.

    to be asked “what idiot are you going to waste 100 million on in 2014??

  8. nolan, it’s my understanding that Adelson will be speaking at a “private keynote”, meaning those of us with press badges will not be allowed in. (Note: am not certain of this, but the website sure made it seem that way.) If you have a delegate badge that does get you in you have a responsibility to get in their and report to us. A recording (technically not allowed by press)?would also be beneficial for many who might wanna report on what was really said inside.

  9. No dilemma here Nolan!
    Sheldon is going to spout his views in his own backyard, and anything you do in his arena is only going to make you look like a nuisance, and a minor distraction at best.
    It is your job to go and listen (if they even let you in) and then return to your backyard, with a fine wine in hand, and report to us, the readers of your blog, your findings.
    As mentioned above, the only way you can make a worthwhile protest to his speech would be to have a large group of like minded folks get up and walk out with you.
    It is my belief that you alone, no matter what you do, will not serve you well!
    i am looking forward to your rant that will follow, and on a different topic, thanks for posting all your football bets and reminding me why i no longer bet on football 🙂

  10. It seems that a statement is needed to expose SA for what he is. I can cite two effective examples that brought public attention to similar problems using a public form.

    1) The famous “Don’t take me to an elevator” incident.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt8uBIcpmlQ

    2) The definitive public protest with the iconic “Don’t taze me bro” plea.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkkLUP-gm4Q

    I would suggest an act of civil disobedience. When you are removed shout ” I need a drink! Somebody get me a drink!”
    Repeat until out of earshot.

  11. Hi Nolan,

    Speak your mind, that’s you, that’s always been you.

    And a quick note: online poker is alive and well, just not here.

    Good luck and maybe I’ll run into you at G2E.

    Take care,
    Joe

  12. Hi Nolan,

    Challenge him to a debate–or ask the conference organizers to turn this into a debate rather than a keynote. My 2 cents worth.

  13. I find myself largely in agreement with Cary Marshall’s post above. Attend just for the sensory experience, play it safe, and be the consummate diplomat. You are in Adelson’s back yard. Come back and make a video rant about him when you are ready!

    Also…Where online poker vs. brick & mortar poker is concerned: Isn’t one big advantage to having a brick & mortar poker room being the pit games and sports book right next door?

    Many poker players have pit game “leaks” where they play craps or blackjack after finishing a poker game session. It’s much harder for this business linkage to take place online because the environmental temptations aren’t there unlike an actual physical casino. More pit business equates to more jobs for casino workers.

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