With the recent announcement made by the Nevada Gaming Policy Committee that online poker licenses in that state would be available in 30 to 60 days, brick and mortar casino and resort companies realized they needed to be in position for one of those early licenses as soon as possible. Some venerable gaming companies like MGM Resorts International are well ahead of the curve, and have already attempted to ensure a successful entry into what will probably be the first state-run legal online poker experience in the United States. MGM Resorts International is the owner of such notable Las Vegas Strip casino destinations as the Bellagio, the Mirage and the MGM Grand, and they have crawled into bed with an online gaming leader.  

To that end, in October of last year they entered into an agreement with the world’s largest listed online gaming company, Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment Plc. The Gibraltar-based online gaming giant will own 65% of the new venture aimed at delivering online poker in Nevada, with Las Vegas casino management firm Boyd Gaming owning 10% of the new business, and MGM Resorts International claiming 25% ownership. In the past, brick-and-mortar casino management firms and resorts looked at online poker operators as a threat, but now companies such as Bwin.Party are being wined and dined as real world casino and resort owners realize the massive potential profits that are rapidly materializing through the inevitable regulated and legalized online poker play.

With ties to legalized phone sex and pornography, Bwin.Party may not be the cleanest kid on the online gaming block, but they are certainly the biggest. And having paid $105 million for illegal banking, wire fraud and gambling operations in 2009, Bwin.Party understands exactly how close Nevada regulators and banking administrators will be watching any future online poker enterprise they run. Why would a well respected corporation like MGM Resorts International choose a partner with unseemly and previously illegal character traits to accompany them on their virginal online poker voyage? Simply put, it’s all about the Benjamins.

Both parties bring massive bottom lines and financial backing to the deal. MGM Resorts International is also banking on the fact that Bwin.Party understands the financial rewards of getting in on the first US online poker licensing, and is not prepared to jeopardize their position in any way. And all the pieces are in place. Boyd Gaming can manage the venture, Bwin.Party knows the software and online side of the equation inside and out, and MGM Resorts International brings class and cachet, as well as much-needed respectability, to the partnership.

But what does this mean to you, the United States-based online poker player? It is a great sign if you want regulated and legalized US-based online poker player sooner rather than later. And from what we have seen so far, the old saying that “wars and politics make for strange bedfellows” appears to be true for online US poker play as well, and more interesting partnerships are probably headed our way.

In the mean time, learn more about existing online poker action at ThePokerGrind.com, where you will also find detailed poker room reviews.