Caesars receives GCB recommendation
Operator could receive approval from Gaming Commission before end of the year.
Caesars Interactive Entertainment (CIE) has become the latest online poker operator to receive a recommendation for licensure from the Nevada State Gaming Control Board (GCB).
The online arm of Las Vegas casino group Caesars Entertainment now requires approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC), and according to Vegas Inc this could potentially arrive before the end of 2012.
CIE’s agreement with 888’s B2B arm Dragonfish to offer online gambling in the UK under the World Series of Poker (WSOP) brand was given the blessing of the NGC last year, making it the first partnership between a Nevada land-based licensee and a European egaming operator to achieve the milestone.
This agreement was extended in January to cover the US market, and 888 chief executive Brian Mattingley said at the time that it “[Puts] 888 and Dragonfish in pole position for the US market.”
The operator also has online deals in Italy with Microgame and France with Barrière Interactive, the latter being extended in January this year with provisions for a US-facing software deal included if the relevant licences are granted, however eGaming Review understands Barrière is yet to apply for accreditation in Nevada.
It will not be able to launch real-money online poker in the Silver State until one of its software partners is approved by the NGC. 888 is already on the list of applicants as a manufacturer and service provider, and hopes to receive approval at some stage next year.
Caesars Interactive Entertainment has contributed to the wider group seeing revenues from “other operations” – which also includes social gaming arm Playtika – more than treble year-on-year in the second quarter and come close to repeating the feat in Q3.
This led to financial ratings agency Fitch suggest a spin-off of the subsidiary, which is headed up by former PartyGaming CEO Mitch Garber, would represent a “logical precursor to a restructuring”.