Convenience stores, lotteries face off over Reid’s online poker bill

Legislation to legalize online poker has driven a wedge between lottery providers and the convenience stores that have long been the primary seller of their tickets.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) push to ban all forms of online gambling except for poker has led to a split between the two major trade associations for each industry. Lotteries want to bury the bill, while convenience stores are pushing for passage. Both sides have upped their lobbying in Washington and say the future of their business is at stake. Next week, about a half-dozen state lottery officials are flying to Washington (DC) on a trip organized by the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL). They will meet with lawmakers to lobby against Reid’s legislation, which could come up for a vote during the final weeks of the lame-duck session.