by Renee Israel
Bwin.Party Digital's efforts to edge closer to the US gambling market have
paid off with the announcement that the group has signed a multi year deal with
a Native American tribe.
The deal with the United Auburn Indian Community (UAIC) will see the world's
largest listed online gaming company supply the tribe's Thunder Valley Casino
Resort near Sacramento with its online poker technology.
The condition, naturally, is that online poker services are allowed under
Californian state law. Efforts to legalise and regulate online poker in the
state are underway and analysts are optimistic that new poker-friendly
legislation is just around the corner.
In February this year, Senators Steinberg and Wright introduced legislation
which has the potential to regulate online gaming in the state. Their SB 1463 -
the Internet Gambling Consumer Protection and Public-Private Partnership Act of
2012 - will see online gambling groups pay a 10% tax on gross gaming revenue.
The co-Chief Executive Officers of Bwin.Party, Jim Ryan and Norbert
Teufelberger issued a joint statement about bwin.party signing the
Californian poker deal, saying: "Combining our own significant assets and
resources with those of UAIC will create a strong partnership that is well
placed to seize the opportunities that will arise if appropriate online poker
legislation is enacted in the Golden State."
Under the terms of the ten year deal, UAIC will secure the licenses needed to
operate online poker services in California once new laws are introduced. On its
part, Bwin.Party will provide the technology and expertise needed to get the
online poker services underway.
US Pro Online Gambling Laws Seem Imminent
It seems that it is only a matter of time that significant changes will take
place in the United States with regards to its gambling laws.
The Tribal Chairman for the UIAC, David Keyser noted: "We see the
legalisation of internet poker and other internet gaming as being inevitable."
As such, a number of UK and European online gambling groups are eyeing a
possible entrance into the changing US gambling landscape, whether it happen on
a federal or state level.
The market has the potential to be extremely lucrative, as demand is high for
reputable and entertainment gambling platforms among US players.
