American operator to launch online site aimed at UK players
Thursday 2nd August 2007
Leading hotel, gaming and resort development company Las Vegas Sands Corporation has announced that it is to launch a real-money online casino aimed at the British market early next year.
The company said that its online venture would combine elements of its popular Las Vegas casino gaming brands and feature a full package of casino games and poker.
'This is another opportunity for our company to create greater awareness of our global brands and further establish our presence and interest in the UK market,' said Bill Weidner, President and Chief Executive Officer of Las Vegas Sands. 'Additionally, as the Internet gaming landscape continues to evolve, this effort will put us in a strong position to evaluate and react to other potential opportunities.'
Sands said that it will base its online venture in Alderney, a British Channel Island that is widely regarded as a ‘tier-one’ regulator of online gambling as it holds its licensees to the highest level of standards and consumer safety.
Cantor Gaming, an affiliate of financial services company Cantor Fitzgerald that currently operates FHM Gaming for the publisher of FHM magazine, has developed software to power the Sands' online casino. Cantor will provide software featuring Las Vegas Sands brands such as Palazzo, Paiza, The Venetian and The Sands.
American players will not be permitted to access the site and, with this move, Sands will become the first US-based casino company to attempt to run an Internet gaming site for a foreign audience since Harrah's Entertainment closed scratch ticket and instant win site LuckyMe.com in October of 2004 after just six months of operation.
