Poker forums have been filled with chatter for months originally predicting that the World Series of Poker brand would launch online sometime in the summer of 2013. Many thought it might happen in early July. Alas, that day has finally arrived. Caesars Interactive Entertainment (CIE) officially launches World Series of Poker (WSOP.com) on the 19th of September 2013 at 9:19 local time. Powered by 888 software, it is the second site to launch for real money in the state of Nevada following Ultimate Poker’s launch in late April.
Mitch Garber, CEO of CIE (and former CEO of PartyGaming now Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment Plc), explains on a conference call “This is really the beginning of a domino effect. The same way that the state of Nevada started land-based casino gaming and you’ve seen the proliferation of casino gaming across the US. We believe that the digital age will repeat that very same pattern.”
This is exciting news as we will begin to see more and more companies opening its doors to online gambling enthusiasts in the state of Nevada. It will now become a competition as to who will be launching online next to claim that much sought after online gaming market share in the State of Nevada. WSOP.com has the advantage of its land based poker player pool which they can attempt to convert online. They have already signed up 12,000 players from their recent land based tournament in Las Vegas. This gives them a considerable advantage. We expect to see some of the other big Nevada casino groups launch regulated online gambling including MGM Mirage Inc. and Boyd Gaming on Bwin.Party’s software platform as well as 888Poker under Treasure Island’s license. They are in an advantageous position to utilize similar marketing techniques from their existing land based player pool.
With the legalization and regulation of online gaming in Nevada and Delaware, and New Jersey to follow (looking to be around end of November but will likely be further delayed), we are looking at great things to come for residents in those states to play online. By 2017, online gaming in the US is projected to be a $7.4 billion business. Watch this space as Free Slot Money will keep you updated on the latest US online gaming operator launches.
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