Two casinos announced partnerships with online poker websites on Friday, in hopes of working toward the passing of federal legislation to regulate Internet gambling.
Caesars Entertainment teamed up with 888 Holdings PLC, an Israeli company that provides online gambling in Europe. Wynn Resorts partnered with PokerStars.net, a popular poker website in the U.S.
Stephen Wynn, chairman and CEO of Wynn Resorts, released a statement about the partnership.
"After much study, we are convinced that the lack of regulation of Internet gaming within the U.S. must change. We must recognize that this activity is occurring and that law enforcement does not have the tools to stop it. As a company that has safely conducted gaming in the US for more than 40 years, we believe that the same can be done for poker on the internet."
Mark Scheinberg, Chairman and Founder of PokerStars, commented on the advancement in a press release as well.
"We have long supported the enactment of local regulatory regimes that protect consumers and provide valuable tax revenues and jobs. PokerStars is closely regulated in many European countries and it has been endorsing the adoption of the same approach in the United States for years, with this alliance representing a critical step in that direction. We are excited about the opportunities that partnering with Wynn, a pioneering leader and innovator in gaming, will present for PokerStars in the United States. These opportunities include the rapid ramp-up in hiring of a large number of professionals in this growing global technology and services sector that will benefit from US talent to keep up with global demand."
The casinos and websites hope to create jobs and generate significant tax dollars in legalizing and regulating gambling on the Internet.
Several Nevada senators have lobbied for federal regulation of online poker, but have not made any progress.
On Thursday, Nevada legislators listened to a proposal from PokerStars for Assembly Bill 258, which would allow the state to regulate online poker.
According to economist Jeremy Aguero, the passing of Assembly Bill 258 would create 1,180 jobs in Nevada and provide the state with as much as $65.1 million in tax revenue.
Though legalization is inevitable, PokerStars is fighting an uphill battle against the Nevada Resort Association, who has members along the Las Vegas Strip. The association is worried that tourism would decline if players could spend their money online instead of restaurants, bars, and casinos.
