The Presidential election campaign has been going on for quite some time. Election Day itself is still nine months away. But today, Tuesday, February 5, 2008, was circled in everybody’s calendars.

Largest Super Tuesday to Date
Welcome to Super Tuesday. No less than 24 states, from New York to California, will hold caucuses and primaries today. A lot is on the line, as the winner between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama on the Democratic side, and John McCain and Mitt Romney of the Republican Party, will be the likely candidates facing each other come November elections.

There is even more on the line. Online sports betting sites, such as Betfair, are offering a range of bets on the US election and Tuesday’s outcomes.

As the candidates seem locked in statistical dead heat, the betting action online becomes more exciting. But online gamblers have not only their wagers on the line. Rather the stakes are much higher.

The Gamblers’ Perspective
The candidates have campaigned with their proposed policies and opinions about the war in Iraq, immigration, health care reform and other topics. Quite a number of people are curious about their opinion of online gambling.

The 900,000 people strong Poker Players Alliance (PPA) has released a guide on the matter.

Barack Obama, though not a PPA member, is a poker player and has expressed his interest in conducting a study on regulating and taxing Internet gambling in the US.

Hillary Clinton too has expressed interest in a study that will see whether the industry can be fairly regulated and be safe for individuals and businesses.

The Republican candidates meanwhile are not as open to the idea of regulating online gambling, for they largely represent the religious and conservative base.

Since Ron Paul is not a likely winner today, his pro-online gambling stance is insignificant.

John McCain has expressed his disconcert with wagering on college sports, in any form, online or not. He was also seen throwing dice and playing blackjack over the years.

Mitt Romney’s stance is unclear. He seems to be interested in the religious vote mainly, and has a record of blocking slot-parlor expansion in Massachusetts.

A Day at a Time
Lobbying the candidates aside, online gamblers may bet on this day, just another day or a critical day for the candidates and the world of gambling.