ACEP partners with Bally for online poker in Nevada
Stratosphere Casino owner and Nevada licensee to launch freeplay poker by the end of the year with real-money version to follow.
American Casino and Entertainment Properties (ACEP) has signed a deal with Bally Technologies to launch online poker in Nevada.
The operator, which owns four casino properties including the Stratosphere Casino in Las Vegas, received a licence to offer online poker just last week, however it is understood the agreement with Bally was signed some time ago.
The deal will see ACEP launch a freeplay poker site by the end of the year, followed by a real money site once Bally’s online poker technology has been approved by one of Nevada Gambling Control Board’s independent testing labs.
Bally, which was among the first companies to receive an interactive poker licence in Nevada in June, offers an open architecture system enabling operators to choose from “best-in-class” content from a multitude of providers. The platform, which Bally acquired from Chiligaming in February, is also designed for mobile integration and is ready to accommodate games beyond poker, such as casino table games, video slots, and sports betting, Bally said in a statement.
The deal follows a similar agreement with Golden Nugget, signed earlier this year, which also brought about the launch of a freeplay poker offering. Operators utilising Bally’s platform are given the opportunity of choosing poker, and ultimately casino and sports betting, software from a selection of companies. Those already working with Bally include Winamax – whose poker software is used on the Golden Nugget freeplay site – and Ongame.
The system will be integrated with the casino management system of ACEP’s bricks and mortar properties, allowing the operator to track player behavior both online and on the gambling floor.
Bally Technologies’ vice-president of business development John Connelly (pictured) said of the deal: “We are excited about the opportunity to partner with a premier gaming operation and a globally recognised brand like the Stratosphere.
“Our iGaming platform delivers a host of advantages to ACEP. With integration to their core casino management systems, they will ultimately have the ability to conduct marketing, bonusing, data tracking and collection seamlessly, enabling the casino to market to their players in a way that has never been possible before. Players can play the same games, receive the same bonuses, offers, and earn the same points on the casino floor, at home, or on the move. We are committed to offering our casino customers a single view of the player.”
The announcement represents the latest Nevada operator to reveal its plans for the egaming market and the first online poker licensee to align with a US gaming supplier, with the likes of MGM, Boyd and Caesars agreeing deals with European operators in the shape of bwin.party and 888 respectively.
Of the other two licensed operators “ South Point Poker and Monarch Interactive “ only the former has detailed how it will enter the market, having opted to build its own egaming platform. Monarch Interactive, meanwhile, is yet to select a partner.