US Online Gambling Licenses Expected by Fall 2011
Online gambling fans in the United States finally have something to cheer about in recent weeks as it looks inevitable that the government, or at least certain states, will definitely be issuing licenses to online gambling operators. According to a report from Daniel Stewart & Co., those licenses could be going out as early as Fall 2011.
“Our view is that online gambling will move ahead whether legislative change happens at Federal or State level or a combination of both”, the report reads, explaining its prediction that the first US online gambling licenses are expected to be issued in the second half of 2011, or at least early 2012.
According to the document, some major online gaming companies can expect a heavy boost from US licensing. European facing brands like PartyGaming, Playtech and 888 seemed to receive the most attention within the report, likely as these companies are extremely well established and reputable, and also because they have the revenue to jump on the opportunity the moment – if and when, of course – the US makes licensing applications available.
“Poker may be the only product vertical to pass at Federal level, however we believe that individual States will legalize online casino and poker at state level,” the report suggests, “with New Jersey and California leading the way, we believe will cause a tipping point, whereby other states will follow. We expect to see legislative change implemented and licenses granted in 2011 or early 2012.”
Daniel Stewart & Co. is a small business investment and stockbroking advisory company, thus the report naturally offers investment counseling as well. In this case, the document indicates that both PartyGaming and Playtech would be wise investments for the future. The report notes these stocks as key buys, stating that PartyGaming and Playtech “in our view have the greatest chance of landing B2B deals in the US market.”
888 did not receive the same exuberant recommendation as Daniel Stewart & Co. points out that the brand has outstanding issues with the United States Department of Justice. Instead, the report advises its stockholders to actually sell 888 stocks in exchange for the previous noted investments.
If this document is anything to judge by, we can at least hope for legalized online poker in parts the United States in the very near future, with online casino activities soon to follow. As far as New Jersey and California are concerned, it has been pointed out in previous weeks that the first companies presumed to be offered a chance at online gambling license applications will be in-state casinos that have been established for five years or more.