Leading Irish gambling group, Paddy Power, filed an application to obtain permission from Nevada’s Gaming board to operate online gambling in the US State of Nevada in August 2010 and is currently participating in the investigative process that has been initiated by the Nevada gaming authorities. A decision on the application will probably be made in November, 2011.
Paddy Power operates online casino sites as well as betting shops across the UK and approval of a license will result in another UK gambling group’s entry into the US gambling market.
Approval of Paddy Power’s gambling license application will also see it becoming the first European business to obtain permission from Nevada’s Gaming board to operate online gambling in the state. William Hill and 888 have, however, purchased US based sports betting companies earlier this year.
Although Paddy Power does not have any firm plans it has applied for the license from Nevada so as to be in a position to capitalize in Nevada if the opportunity arises.
Regulations were recently approved by Nevada politicians that will allow online gaming to take place in hotel bedrooms and other “non- gambling” areas of resort casinos.
Paddy Power has, meanwhile, won a battle for permission to open a betting shop in Newmarket in Suffolk.