Sheldon Adelson, a major donor to Republican campaigns, opposes the legalization of Internet poker.

Adelson, who serves as chairman and chief executive officer of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, has spent a reported $70 million so far on Republican candidates. He's a big supporter of Mitt Romney and has said he donate whatever it takes to defeat President Barack Obama.

"Sheldon has been transparent and straightforward with me and the other members of the industry,” Frank Fahrenkopf, the president and CEO of the American Gaming Association, told reporters of Adelson's opposition to Internet poker, Vegas Inc reported. “This is his own personal view."

Fahrenkopf said the AGA will lobby Congress to pass a national framework for Internet poker. But he doesn't think a bill will pass before the end of the 112th session.

Fahrenkopf made his remarks as the 12th Global Gaming Expo got underway in Las Vegas.

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