The United States has been under fire regarding their laws about online casinos.  The European Union has asked that all countries apart of the EU open up to fair trading, even in the online casino world.  In the past the U.S. has made it difficult for foreign companies as well as the current land based casinos to branch out into online casinos.  Several United Kingdom companies and other countries have removed their online casinos from U.S. player reach because of the laws.

However, this year has sparked a lot of changes in the United States market.  An arrangement was announced this week between Harrah’s Entertainment and 888.  Harrah’s is one of the top land based casinos in the United States.  They have locations not only in Las Vegas, but Reno, Atlantic City, and New Orleans.  888 is already an online casino reaching the United Kingdom and other countries.

Harrah’s deal is to accept the software 888 uses.  888 is part of the Vegas gaming operators.  They have developed a great deal of different online games like table games, poker, and slot machines.  Many feel this deal is going to be the start of more as soon as the U.S. market loosens up a bit more.

The move will also help boost 888’s business.  They already saw a fourteen percent increase in company stock after the deal was announced.  Harrah’s has been careful about developing international online casino presence in the last few years.  They have maintained international prestige while remaining outside the United States.  They are more than ready to enter the U.S. market.

888 is using a subsidiary called Dragonfish for the software.  Dragonfish will be operated as a business to business subdivision of 888.  It will offer both online poker and online casino games.  The launch of the new site has yet to be announced as Harrah’s is still waiting for the laws to change.  However, the sites will be called World Series of Poker and Caesars Casino.  They are going to be exploiting the best known brands.

Jerry Boyle is a high profile person in U.S. gambling.  He observed that the partnership between large land based casino operators and online casino software companies will be good for both companies.  The software companies aim to find licenses, and do not expect it to be very difficult if U.S. established companies are carrying their products like Harrah’s will be.