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Harrah's Entertainment Contemplates Joining Online Poker Industry in Europe

On November 16th, 2007, according to a recent report, the United States' gaming giant Harrah's Entertainment Incorporated could be set to join the online casino industry, possibly to widen their influence with their world series of poker brand through the poker satellite tournaments on the World Wide Web.

Gary Loveman, the Chief Executive Officer for Harrah's, said that they are seriously looking to the possibility of joining the online poker industry in Europe. Loveman said that if you would take a peek at the present legal situation in Europe and Great Britain, there are countries where it is allowed to offer poker and there is absolutely no problem. He added that those places are very helpful with attaining their goal.

Loveman aired his side at the Global Gambling Expo, the biggest trade show of the year designed for the North American casino market which is held annually in Las Vegas. Current legal prohibition in the United States, especially the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), restricts banks and other financial organizations from processing money transaction from U.S. based gamblers and from most online poker sites.

Harrah's spokesperson Gary Thompson also said that they are currently studying and reviewing the casino market and its legal aspect before deciding on whether or not they want to pursue an online expansion in Europe. He said that they will not join an online poker industry where potential problems can exist.

Harrah's bought the rights to the World Series of Poker in 2004 but a player in this year's WSOP was affected because a lot of online poker sites were not prepared to give prize packages to poker players that are residents of the U.S. due to the legal restrictions.

12/02/2007, Sunday
Matthew Dorst

Harrah's Entertainment Contemplates Joining Online Poker Industry in Europe

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