Poker Giant Bwin.Party Applies for Nevada Internet Gaming LicenseGolden Nugget Also Eying Real-Money Play |
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After a long absence from the U.S market thanks to the controversial Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act of 2006, PartyPoker has finally filed papers for a return.
Though it has been known for quite some time that its parent company Bwin.party would seek entry into a Nevada intrastate poker industry, the Gibraltar-based powerhouse has now formally applied to be a player in the market, according to the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
In October of 2011, Bwin.party announced plans to do business with casino giant MGM Resorts International and Boyd Gaming — both of which would be operators of poker sites. PartyPoker would be a service provider and be in charge of maintaining and running the software, if licensed by Nevada regulators.
About three years ago, the publicly traded company paid $105 million in fines to the U.S. government, after previously leaving American cyberspace in 2006.
MGM, which owns properties such as Aria and Bellagio, would likely have separate skins under the network of PartyPoker.
Service providers like PartyPoker cannot do business in Nevada unless they partner with an established brick-and-mortar casino company.
In addition to Bwin.party, a handful of other entities have recently submitted online poker paperwork to Nevada regulators. The list has now grown to 24.
The Golden Nugget, which in early February announced its launch of a free-play site, is looking to operate real-money online gaming.
SPIELO International, under the ownership of one of the world’s largest commercial lottery operators, is looking to exist as a manufacturer and service provider of online games in Nevada.
Also joining the race to entry is Gibraltar-based St. Minver and Swedish-based Boss Media, both of which want to be service providers.
Here’s the up-to-date list of entities seeking Nevada approval:
Follow Brian Pempus on Twitter — @brianpempus
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