Shuffle Master recommended for Nevada licence
Collapse of Ongame acquisition did not affect supplier's application - Paddy Power recommended for finding of suitability.
Shuffle Master and Paddy Power have been given preliminary approval on their respective applications in the state of Nevada following yesterday’s Gaming Control Board (GCB) meeting.
It had been speculated that Shuffle Master’s decision to pull out of a deal to acquire bwin.party-owned poker network Ongame could impact on the success of its application, however the gaming manufacturer received unanimous approval for its application and will now hope for final approval when it goes before the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) on 26 July.
If approved by the NGC, the company will join Bally Technologies and International Game Technology (IGT) in being cleared to offer intrastate online poker. Despite pulling out of the deal for Ongame due in part to “Uncertainty surrounding the timing of legalization and the rollout of online poker in the US at both the state and federal levels,” Shuffle Master has confirmed that it is still considering B2B poker opportunities
The company’s chief strategy officer Lou Castle noted that while it looks at poker options, Shuffle Master will simultaneously push forward with plans to bring its table games to freeplay social gaming sites before moving to convert play-money customers to real-money players.
Paddy Power, meanwhile, has cleared an important first hurdle in the licensing process after being granted suitability approval by the NGCB yesterday.
The operator had previously sounded out the possibility of obtaining manufacturer and mobile licences, although it is unclear whether this is still its intention. It had previously looked at buying American Wagering – whose mobile app Leroy’s App received GCB approval last year – before William Hill came in for the sportsbook.
Chief executive Patrick Kennedy described the United States as “A key potential new market for us,” noting in yesterday’s meeting that it had never taken a bet from the United States.
According to Vegas Inc, GCB chairman Mark Lipparelli said of Paddy Power’s application: “There are lingering questions and concerns on the background side…but the company has met the standard for suitability.”
Paddy Power has software deals with Playtech, and the London-listed software provider was cited in concerns about JV partner William Hill’s application earlier this year, although the GCB has not indicated whether Playtech represents one of the concerns in this particular case.