Harrah's 888 Software Deal Could Benefit Online Gambling Affiliates

For a while now, 888 has been one of the leading software providers for online casinos, and now their independent B2B division, Dragonfish, has signed a deal with Harrah's Interactive Entertainment to become the software provider for the company.

The move should ease the minds of affiliates that were concerned that they would be run out by the big Las Vegas companies once Internet gambling laws changed in the US. This move signifies that affiliates will be as important as ever.

"This (Harrah's, 888, deal) could be great news for affiliates worried about the 'Vegas takeover' that is imminent if the United States starts to regulate online gambling," said CGW gaming analyst Gordon Price, "This deal between 888 and Harrah's signifies that when Vegas does go online, they are likely to go through the software companies that already exist."

Affiliates, according to Price, may even come out with better deals than they currently are engaged in with casinos that are currently accepting US players. With Vegas companies entering the market, there will be a pressing need for current casinos to keep the business they are receiving from their current affiliates.

Representative Barney Frank has introduced legislation that would overturn the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006. With a regulated Internet gambling industry, affilaites are concerned that their services would no longer be needed by the Vegas companies.

It appears, however, that the opposite will happen. Las Vegas companies, who are new to the online gambling industry, will be looking to go to trusted names in the industry to provide their software. This fact was not lost on Price.

"By using popular existing software companies, the Las Vegas companies will also be receiving the affiliates software that comes with these software packages, which means affiliates will remain just as important, and likely, just as well paid off as they are now," said Price.

September 11, 2009
Posted By Larry Rutherford
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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