Boyd Gaming is gambling on the opening of the US online poker market by striking a deal with bwin.party.
Under the terms of the deal, Boyd Gaming, which operates land-based casinos in several jurisidictions in the US, would acquire a 10 per cent stake in a new company that would offer online poker to US players under bwin.party’s brands. The company has also entered into a 15-year agreement to use bwin.party’s technology platform and associated services to offer online poker to US players under a brand it will develop itself.
All this, however, hinges on whether Congress approves legislation permitting online poker.
"We believe that the right approach to offering legal online poker in the US is through a federal regulatory structure that ensures the games are conducted with the greatest possible integrity and security,” said Keith Smith, president and chief executive officer of Boyd Gaming. “Should Congress enact legislation to legalise internet poker, this agreement will allow us to partner with the world's most experienced and prestigious online operator to offer a secure, fair and entertaining experience for players in the US."
Online poker is a “compelling future growth opportunity” for the company, he added.
