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Adelson-Backed Lobbying Against Web Gaming Makes Sessions Fold

  • Coalition hired lobbyist who became attorney general’s lawyer
  • Sessions has recused himself from decision, spokeswoman says
Sheldon Adelson, chairman and chief executive officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp., speaks at a news conference in Singapore on June 23, 2010.

Sheldon Adelson, chairman and chief executive officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp., speaks at a news conference in Singapore on June 23, 2010.

Photographer: Charles Pertwee/Bloomberg

A coalition backed by billionaire casino executive Sheldon Adelson has asked the U.S. Justice Department to reconsider a 2011 decision that cleared the way for states to allow online gambling.

But the group’s choice of lobbyist has complicated that request by forcing the recusal of a potential ally for online-gambling opponents: Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who said earlier this year the decision should be reviewed.