MGM and Bwin.party unveil new deal

Resorts have announced a poker deal with Bwin.party digital entertainment. The joint venture, which also involves hotel and casino operators Boyd Gaming, will offer online poker in regulated U.S. jurisdictions as and when the game becomes legal at either federal or state level.

Online gambling firm Bwin.party, who will license their technology to the other two companies, are set to own 65% of the new operation, with global hospitality company MGM holding 25% and Boyd claiming 10%.

“MGM is proud to have bwin.party as our partner as they have the assets and experience that, combined with our brands, can ensure a secure, fair and entertaining online poker experience,” said MGM Resorts CEO Jim Murren. Bwin.Party CEO Jim Ryan added: “The intention of the joint venture is to take the PartyPoker brand and the World Poker Tour brand and our operating expertise and combine that with the regulatory expertise of MGM and Boyd.

Effectively you will have four brands in the U.S. and all four brands will be acquiring players and putting them in one hub, one poker network.”