Las Vegas casino may soon go online
25th June, 2009
Despite a failed attempt by Las Vegas giant MGM, Harrah’s are looking into joining the online casino industry.
Online gambling is currently still illegal in the US although the legislation is under harsh dispute. Harrah’s plans to ‘test the waters’ in the European market where online gaming is very much legal and gaining in popularity continually, by basing its online operations in Montreal where they recently opened a subsidiary.
Harrah’s seems to be in a better position than MGM were a few years ago as the industry has dramatically changed and the merger of land based and online casino’s is pretty much expected.
If the move does go ahead and Harrah’s are already established in the European market, if US legislation does change to allow online gaming which lobbyists are heavily campaigning for, they will be in a much better position to enter the lucrative US market very quickly.
However, some members of the American Gaming Association oppose the legalisation of online gambling, particularly, Steve Wynn, who owns encore Las Vegas resorts and Wynn Las Vegas. The major hotel owner believes that online gaming is very risky and may cause embarrassment to the land based casinos if it does not succeed. Harrah’s seem to be of the opinion; if you can’t beat the online casinos- join them!
By Faye
