vrijdag 16 november 2007

Harrah’s Considers Entry into European Online Poker Market

According to a recent report by the Associated Press news agency, America’s giant Harrah’s Entertainment Inc could be set to enter the world of online casinos, possibly to extend the reach of its global World Series Of Poker brand through Internet satellite tournaments

The Associated Press stated that Gary Loveman, Chief Executive Officer for Harrah’s, revealed that the Las Vegas-based gambling corporation is taking a close look at entering the European online poker market.

'If you take a look at the legal landscape in continental Europe and the United Kingdom, there are countries where it's demonstrably legal and there's absolutely no encumbrance,” said Loveman.

“Those are areas that are very attractive to us.'

Loveman made his comments this week at the Global Gaming Expo, the largest trade show of the year for the North American casino industry annually held in Las Vegas. Current legal restrictions in the United States prohibit banks and payment processors from handling cash transactions from US-based players to and from online poker sites.

Harrah's Spokesman, Gary Thompson, is also cited as revealing that the company is studying the market and legal conditions before deciding whether to continue with an online European venture. He stated that the company would not enter an online poker market where grey areas exist.

Harrah's bought the rights to the World Series Of Poker in 2004 but attendance this year was hurt as many online poker sites were not prepared to award prize packages to US residents due to the legal climate.

Source: Online Casino News.com

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