Wynn and Playtech apply for Nevada licences

Casino operator Wynn resorts and AIM-listed software provider Playtech are among the latest companies to apply for Nevada egaming licences.

Wynn joins other Las Vegas casino giants such as MGM and Boyd Gaming in launching applications, while Playtech’s move – first mooted by the company in March – comes less than one week after its joint venture partner William Hill received a recommendation for a licence from the Nevada State Gaming Control Board (GCB).

Playtech’s application comes two months after its business ties with Hills were placed under scrutiny by Silver State regulators when the operator’s own application was being assessed, leading to the William Hill application falling off the GCB agenda for May. Hills met with criticism for alleged “online gambling violations” as well as its ties to Playtech shareholder Teddy Sagi who was convicted in the mid-nineties for bribery and fraud.

The application from Wynn, meanwhile, comes more than a year after it entered into a non-binding agreement with PokerStars with a view to entering the US egaming market, an agreement which subsequently collapsed following the indictment of PokerStars founder Isai Scheinberg on Black Friday and the shutdown of the Power 50 operator’s American-facing operations.

It is yet to secure a new partner for online activities, but eGaming Review reported in April that Wynn had entered into discussions with social gaming giant Zynga over a potential real-money egaming partnership. Zynga is yet to apply for a Nevada licence.

According to poker magazine CardPlayer, the two parties are joined by M Resort owner LV Gaming Ventures, LLC as well as Z4 Poker, LLC, SG Gaming, Inc., Global Cash Access and Wyle Laboratories.

(Photo via Almc1217, obtained under Creative Commons licence)