Casino interests funneled at least $8 million into political activities over the last year

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Two reports published recently highlighted the significant financial influence the gambling industry seeks to exert over both federal legislation related to gambling and the outcome of political campaigns in the US via campaign donations.

First, a report from the Associated Press asserts that The American Gaming Association, a gambling industry trade group that represents several interests (including Ballys and MGM) spent approximately 1.7 million dollars in 2007 lobbying the federal government on a wide range of issues related to Internet gambling.

Second, opensecrets.org released their report regarding campaign contributions from the casino / gambling industry in the 2008 election cycle, and concluded that total contributions from the industry topped out at over $6 million.

For a breakdown of contributions by contributor and party, check out the opensecrets report here.