The American Gaming Association has withdrawn its support for real-money online gaming in the US, citing differences of opinion within the association.

Geoff Freeman

In an interview at the G2E Asia conference in Macau, AGA chief executive Geoff Freeman (pictured) said the disagreement among casinos has rendered online gambling "an issue that the association cannot lead on.

"One of the things I've learned in this industry is we are extraordinarily competent at shooting at one another."

Some of the big beasts of the US land-based gaming industry remain clearly divided on the issue, with Caesars and MGM Resorts backing it while Sheldon Adelson and his Las Vegas Sands Corporation oppose it, most publicly.

"On this issue, we've agreed to disagree," said Jan Jones Blackhurst, Caesars's executive vice president of communications and government relations.

The association will focus its efforts on issues considered less divisive among casino operators such as the US Treasury’s increased scrutiny on possible money laundering at casinos, said Freeman.

Source: Wall Street Journal