This week’s gathering of casino industry leaders in Las Vegas, the Global Gaming Expo, or G2E, isn’t specifically about Internet gambling or the affiliate marketing industry …
But the Internet, mobile gaming, and technology is where the conversation has increasingly focused, reports show. Bally’s arrived at the conference with the goal of expanding its technology and networked gaming platforms. And one of the conference’s roundtable sessions was dedicated to tribal casino’s disputes over the online gambling issue.
“America is behind the times, pure and simple,” Las Vegas’ KLAS-TV 8’s Jonathan Humbert sums it up. “Right now, millions of people outside our borders can bet on a football or a futbol game right from their phone. They can play slots for real money from their netbook. It is illegal here, but some companies are preparing for a future where Las Vegas is always at your fingertip.”
Humbert explains the mobile tech thrust of G2e exhibitors: Konami has a new app that tracks players and also lets players track winnings, for example; “Gaming Analyst Bill Lerner says local casinos need to expand online, even if Americans are blocked,” he adds.
This focus on Internet gambling means that the G2E is relevant to the online gaming affiliate market, too. Ambitious affiliates have taken this opportunity to get together in Las Vegas to network, and leading authorities on online gambling legal issues (such as “Gambling and the Law” Professor I. Nelson Rose) was also on hand to analyze online gambling legal issues.
“Another question being asked at the show is what will happen to games if Internet gambling is made legal,” said Frank Fahrenkopf, head of the American Gaming Association, per Las Vegas’ KTNV. “I think it’s clear there have been changes in attitudes concerning Internet gaming. Just in March, our company decided it was something we ought to explore.”
Nathan Denny
November 17, 2010