In 1995, supporters of gambling in Virginia hired 48 lobbyists, from nearly every lobbying firm in the state capital, in a bid to legalise riverboat casinos.

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But whereas the Texan economy diversified into high-tech, Louisiana turned to gambling, with disastrous results: politicians were bought off by companies looking for licences for land and riverboat casinos, and the state became split between the pro-gambling populism of Mr Edwards and the anti-gambling sentiments of the good government crowd, most of them Republicans.

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After launching two Native American casinos in Wisconsin for Winamax Corporation he left to build his own riverboat casino company in Kansas City, Mo.

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