Billionaire Banker, High Stakes Poker Player Andy Beal a Ron Paul Supporter

Billionaire banker Andy Beal has contributed $2500 to the US Presidential campaign of Texas Congressman Ron Paul, Gambling911.com has learned.  Beal is also a high stakes poker player.

Paul, who is running against the likes of Mitt Romney, Michele Bachman and Rick Perry to win the GOP nomination, has long been a staunch advocate of legalized Internet gambling in the US.

“Mine is a philosophic position but I think it's a sound position,” the Congressman told Gambling911.com in regard to his co-sponsoring of a bill to legalize the activity.  “I think it's something that you can defend as being a strict constitutionalist and I just don't see government being the moralist deciding how we spend our time whether is good or bad.  I have a strong belief that the individual gets to make that choice so the fact that I don't gamble doesn't really influence me in my positions on this issue.”

The prediction market at intrade.com has Ron Paul’s chances of gaining the nomination at just shy of 3 percent.  Recent polls have the Texas Congressman closer to 10 percent. 

It was not immediately clear whether Beal’s support had anything to do with Ron Paul’s position as it relates to legalizing Internet poker. 

Beal’s long series of ultra high-stakes heads-up battles with the likes of Doyle Brunson, Howard Lederer, Johnny Chan and Phil Ivey were featured in the Michael Craig book The Professor, the Banker and the Suicide King.

- Ace King, Gambling911.com