Ladbrokes
Ladbrokes The past year has been a busy one for European-based online casino companies that are looking to possibly enter the US market. At the center of the business models was to consolidate in the hopes of building mega-gaming companies.

The first dominoes started to fall this past summer when it was announced that PartyGaming and Bwin. The two companies are both considered giants in the industry, and the consolidation has led to other companies seeking to strengthen their position.

Late in the year, Ladbrokes made their move by revealing that talks had begun for Ladbrokes to take over 888. This is the second time these talks have occurred, with the last set of negotiations falling apart with Ladbrokes fearing the US Department of Justice action against 888.

All of the consolidation is seen within the industry as a way to get as powerful as possible in case the laws change in the US. Legislators are pushing bills that would overturn the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, and if successful, European companies could be in line for online gaming licenses.

There is also the possibility that regulation comes at the state level in the US. If that occurs, it would be a little more difficult for foreign operators to gain licenses, but international commerce agreements may require the states to allow foreign companies to do business.

The US is considered to be the golden egg for online gaming companies. The country is said to have a multi-billion dollars industry, despite the fact that the laws make it difficult for players to deposit and withdraw money from Internet gaming sites.


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