MGM leads the way in push for online poker in New York

Following reports in the New York Times that the casino company that had revenues of over USD 10 billion in 2013 is looking to be a major force in the online gambling sector when more states pass legislation legalising online gambling. However what is interesting is why the company is doing this as they have no casino in the state should New York legalise online gambling or have any bids to have a casino there.

One industry observer believes that should New York allow online gambling servers based in New Jersey would be allowed to offer services to New York thus allowing MGM which has casinos in New Jersey and already offering online gambling to locals there.

Analysts believe that New York residents gamble online about USD 110 million to offshore operators, should the state legalise online gambling and turn those players around to legal sites then the state could generate anywhere from $50 million to $80 million a year in taxes, with another US$ 80 million from licenses to operate in the state.

Currently it is understood that MGM is just trying to galvanize support in the state for a push on legislators in the future to legalise the sector with MGM at the head of the queue to enter the market once legislation has been passed. The casino operator sees online gambling as a major business opportunity for the company in the future and wants to be leading the charge in each and every state that considers online gambling reforms.