Betfair is a top UK online casino.  During the recession many online casino companies have been reluctant to expand or make too many changes for fear of not making revenue.  However, Betfair is the first online casino to decide to make a public offering.  They are planning a $2.5 billion IPO in order to create enough funds to expand.  Betfair wants to consolidate their gaming operations.  By doing this they will be prepared to enter the US market when and if the laws change.

Site owners are already meeting with bankers in order to get financial representation.  Once the decision is made for the financial institution, Betfair just has to wait for the United States market to open their doors.  Many companies and individuals believe the US laws will be changing and soon.  The US like some of the European countries has recently been a target for the European Commission.  The EU believes fair trade should be offered in any industry, and that the online casino industry has not worked that way.  They have told several countries like the US that regulations must change to open up the market for foreign online casinos, as well as in country casinos.

Next year changes could be seen in the US market.  Barney Frank has worked very hard to place bills in the senate and congress to get the laws changed.  Some opposition still exists, but it is believed he is making headway.

Betfair is just one of the online casinos waiting for the change to occur.  Betfair has online casino games, poker, person to person sports betting, and financial market betting.  It is suspected that Goldman Sachs, Rothschild, and Morgan Stanley will all compete to gain part of Betfair for the capital the company needs to expand.

Betfair has already announced they fully intend on following the differing laws in the US states.  They want to meet all regulatory requirements, and if that means accepting companies like Morgan Stanley as a backer they are more than willing.

Several other online casinos are also seeking out funding and getting ready to apply for US licenses as soon as they get the word things have changed.  Still it will be a long process even if the bill is accepted.  For UK players this will mean more competition at the online casinos since US players will be on the same sites.  This could be a good thing for the progressive pots.