Caesars approved for online poker in Nevada

The online arm of Caesars Entertainment has been awarded a licence to operate an online poker site in Nevada by the state’s Gaming Commission.

Caesars Interactive Entertainment (CIE) gained initial approval from the Nevada Gaming Control Board last week, and its application was unanimously approved by the Commission yesterday.

CIE’s agreement with 888’s B2B arm Dragonfish to offer online gambling in the UK under the World Series of Poker (WSOP) brand was given the blessing of the NGC last year, making it the first partnership between a Nevada land-based licensee and a European egaming operator to achieve the milestone.

This agreement was extended in January to cover the US market, and 888 chief executive Brian Mattingley said at the time that it “[Puts] 888 and Dragonfish in pole position for the US market.”

The operator also has online deals in Italy with Microgame and France with Barrière Interactive, the latter being extended in January this year with provisions for a US-facing software deal included if the relevant licences are granted, however eGaming Review understands Barrière is yet to apply for accreditation in Nevada.

It will not be able to launch real-money online poker in the Silver State until one of its software partners is approved by the NGC. 888 is already on the list of applicants as a manufacturer and service provider, and hopes to receive approval at some stage next year.

Other licensed operators in Nevada include MGM, Fertitta Interative, Golden Nugget, American Casino and Entertainment Properties and Monarch.

Caesars has also extended its agreement with Lottomatica’s GTECH Corporation, providing the latter with the exclusive rights for an additional four years to offer the World Series of Poker, Ceasars and Harrah’s brands to the lottery industry for use with certain games.

The new deal also sees the Flamingo, Paris Las Vegas, Rio and Horseshoe brands added to the licensed rights.