谢尔登.埃德森的在线赌博立场

　　拉斯维加斯金沙集团总裁谢尔登.埃德森不是网上赌博的支持者，这已经不是什么秘密。尽管有许多陆地赌场高层管理人十分热衷于网上赌博行业，并认为网上赌博是互联网行业中的一个必要行业，他们甚至为实现网上赌博合法化而采取一些重要行动。但阿德尔森不以为然。

　　上周三，阿德尔森澄清他反对监管网上赌博的立场。罗恩里斯，阿德尔森的发言人说，阿德尔森反对在线赌博，是因为他认为目前的网络赌博技术不够好，不能防止未成年人参与网上赌博。他关心的是未成年人的赌博问题。罗恩里斯里斯澄清的言论只是阿德尔森的个人意见，并非该公司的正式立场。

　　有趣的是，阿德尔森将执行他的这一立场。他反对在线赌博，除了他认为网上赌博技术不够好以外，还有一个重要原因，网络赌博行业缺乏严格的政府监管。如果政府不能够实行强有力的监管制度，可能会对未成年人的成长造成很大的负面影响。但有一点是肯定的：在线赌博网站是不可能全部消失，只要有赌徒登录并参与下注。如果没有足够好的技术防止未成年人赌博，阿德尔森认为，那么未成年人将处于一种危险的网络环境中。

　　阿德尔森是世界上最富有的赌场大亨。他拥有拉斯维加斯金沙集团股份有限公司，并且该公司是赌博行业中最大的上市公司。拉斯维加斯金沙集团股份有限公司的董事会成员说，尽管阿德尔森发表了他的个人意见，但董事会目前在网上赌博公司的立场或战略目前尚未作出决定。

　　译文

　　Sheldon Adelson Explains Online Gambling Stance

　　It’s no secret the Sheldon Adelson, the CEO of Las Vegas Sands Corporation, is not a supporter of online gambling. While many land casino executives have warmed to online gambling, thinking that taking the casino online is a necessary evolution in the industry, Adelson has yet to come around.

　　On Wednesday, Adelson clarified his position of opposing federal or intrastate regulation of online gambling. Ron Reese, a spokesman for the casino magnate said that Adelson opposes online gambling because he doesn’t think the technology is good enough to prevent minors from placing bets online. He is concerned about the problem of underage gambling. Reese clarified that the remarks are Adelson’s personal opinion and not the formal position of the company.

　　It’s interesting that Adelson would take that stance. He opposes online gambling because he thinks the technology isn’t good enough, but isn’t that more of a reason to have strict government regulation? The government could put in place strict standards for the age-verification software and make it more difficult for minors to gamble. One thing is certain: It is impossible to make all of the online gambling websites disappear, and as long as they exist people can log on and place bets. If the technology isn’t good enough to prevent underage gambling, as Adelson believes, then lack of regulation puts those children at risk.

　　Adelson is the world’s richest casino executive. His company, Las Vegas Sands Corp., is the largest publicly traded company in the industry. Members of the board say that, despite Adelson’s personal opinion, the board has not made a decision regarding a position or strategy on online gambling for the company.