Despite questions about MGM Resort International’s partnership with bwin.party Digital Entertainment, the casino giant received approval for an online poker license today from the Nevada Gaming Commission.
Bwin.party has also teamed up with Boyd Gaming, which received an online poker license in the Silver State last month. But the software company and parent company of PartyPoker, bwin.party has faced recent scrutiny for its operations in international markets.
The company has yet to appear before Nevada gaming regulators.
With the approval of MGM, a company praised by the state gaming commission, there are now 12 online poker operator licenses in Nevada.
Las Vegas Review Journal reporter Howard Stutz tweeted, “Nevada Gaming Commissioners are being clear on the record that approval of MGM isn’t a guaranteed approval for bwin.”
Earlier this week, co-CEO of bwin.party Norbert Teufelberger, was detained by the Belgian authorities apparently in connection with bwin.party’s continued online presence in Belgium without holding a Belgian online gaming license.
But Card Player reported that Commissioner John Moran said bwin.party would “probably” be approved.
MGM plans to use bwin.party for to launch a play-money site in the spring, which would ultimately lead to real-money games after the digital company receives clearance.
With the dozen licenses approved it still remains unclear when real-money online poker will be offered in Nevada.
