In 2013, the United States saw three states move from brick and mortar casino game play to online gambling options. The state of Nevada launched online poker while Delaware and New Jersey both added casino and poker gaming options online. The internet gaming industry in the US is growing on a state to state basis and many are wondering, which states will join in 2014?
California and even Mississippi and Pennsylvania have been talked about as states interested in watching what happens with online gambling in the US moving forward but now, it seems the state of Colorado may quietly slip into the industry next year.
According to a report with the Denver Post, lawmakers in Colorado drafted a law to pass online poker during the last session, but the legislation did not move forward. The state is now considering pushing for the option in 2014. Troy Stremming is the Executive Vice President of Government Relations for Pinnacle Entertainment and he spoke with The Post, stating:
“This is something we are monitoring very closely. Internet gaming continues to evolve state-by-state, and through ever-changing technology. With respect to Colorado, when there is a piece of legislation to review, we can make decisions based on whether or not participation will be beneficial to the company.”
Pinnacle Entertainment is the owner of the Ameristar Black Hawk which is the largest casino located in the state of Colorado. Gamblers in Colorado have proven that they are interested in mobile gaming as many have already downloaded the myVegas app, which is owned by MGM Resorts International.
According to the report by Denver Post, the app was released in November and was the first casino mobile application to offer rewards and comps. Players would receive such rewards as free rooms and dining by wagering play chips. Colorado players of course downloaded the app and could easily take a trip to earn their rewards, which in turn would take away the traffic of Colorado casinos.
The state of Colorado is now watching the states that offer online gambling closely as the impact of land based revenues have yet to be determined. Estimates have already determined that the state could earn in the $30 million range in annual revenues with online poker in a three to five year time frame from legalization. Add in gambling online and the revenues would skyrocket to $112.5 million according to a study conducted by Adam Krejcik of Eilers Research.
Several legislators in the state want to be at the forefront of the internet gaming industry in the US. Kevin Priola is a Representative of the state and he commented that he, along with others, feel as though Colorado needs to be as close to the starting line as they can as the state may be one of only a few that will have enough scale to make it work.
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