Fahrenkopf says gaming is backing Harry Reid in Nevada

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- American Gaming Association President Frank Fahrenkopf Jr., who served as chairman of the National Republican Party for six of President Ronald Reagan's eight years in the White House, is backing the re-election of Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

He also said the bulk of the gaming industry — well, probably not Las Vegas Sands Corp. Chairman Sheldon Adelson — is supportive of Reid over Republican challenger Sharron Angle in their heated campaign.

Fahrenkopf, who was in Las Vegas Tuesday to announce the move of the Global Gaming Expo to the Sands Expo in 2011, said he believes gaming will become a target in Washington D.C. for revenues.

"The question is are you better off having the majority leader of the senate, who can control what gets to the floor to be voted on, or a freshman senator?" Fahrenkopf said.

"My job is to protect the industry and protect Nevada and states where gaming is located," Fahrenkopf said, calling Reid, "the most knowledge person on gaming in the senate" because of his service as the past chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission.

Fahrenkopf said he has been a friend of Reid for 50 years and that he is financially backing Reid's re-election.