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Fertitta Interactive, which late last year purchased California online gaming company CyberArts Licensing LLC., announced Thursday it is seeking a license to operate a real money online poker room within the United States.
The company is the latest in a series of business enterprises looking to begin offering legalized Internet poker including the likes of Donald Trump, Zynga and MGM. Las Vegas-based South Point Hotel and Casino already offers a free-to-play online poker room that they look to soon be converting to cash.
Nevada legislators approved legalizing real money play within the state borders late last year and were in the process of accepting applications. There is currently a push to offer a multi-state platform similar to the state lottery system’s Powerball game that could permit poker play outside the state’s borders.
Nevada had hoped that federal legislation would allow it to get a jump start nationwide, but the US Justice Department stunned everyone just days before Christmas by publicly revealing a change of stance in regard to poker. The DOJ announced that it would no longer apply The Wire Act to poker, only sports betting, and this provided individual states the go-ahead to begin offering Web poker for real cash play at the local level without the fear of federal government intrusion.
Fertitta Interactive is an excellent candidate and one that most industry observers believe will realize an immediate impact once they enter the sector. The company is owned by brothers Lorenzo and Frank. Together they oversee the Stations Casino properties and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) empire.
“Fertitta Interactive fully supports the federal regulation of online poker in the United States,” Lorenzo Fertitta said in a statement. “In CyberArts, we found a leader in the development and design of online gaming software with an exemplary track record of regulatory compliance. We will be working on new and innovative products with the goal of ultimately providing consumers with the best online gaming experience in a safe and secure environment.”
- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com
