American casino giant MGM Resorts International has reportedly filed an application with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board asking to be designated as a ‘qualified gaming entity’ so that it may enter the eastern state’s embryonic iGaming market.
Random draw hopes:
According to a Monday report from OnlinePokerReport.com citing ‘sources with knowledge of the situation’, the Las Vegas-headquartered casino operator is hoping that the label will subsequently allow it to purchase at least one of ten Pennsylvania iGaming licenses that the regulator will be selling off via a random draw later in the year.
New Jersey experience:
Despite not having a land-based presence in Pennsylvania, MGM Resorts International reportedly filed its application in advance of the official October 31 cut-off date and now wants to receive permission to offer online gaming to players in ‘The Keystone State’ such as it already does in neighboring New Jersey via its PlayMGM service.
Ten licenses remain:
Last year saw Pennsylvania become the fourth American state to authorize iGaming with local casino operators including the likes of Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment Incorporated and Penn National Gaming Incorporated consequently snapping up 29 licenses. But, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board subsequently detailed that it would be making the ten remaining authorizations, which include four covering the provision of peer-to-peer online poker games, available to out-of-state entities at an individual price of $4 million.
First-draw aspiration:
The licenses set to be sold off are to moreover include three each covering online video slots and table games such as blackjack while OnlinePokerReport.com detailed that MGM Resorts International will be hoping to be one of the first names to be drawn out of the hat so that it may have its choice of authorizations.
Alternative routes to market:
OnlinePokerReport.com also explained that MGM Resorts International may subsequently look to capitalize on its partnership with local rival Boyd Gaming Corporation should it fail to secure an out-of-state Pennsylvania iGaming license. Alternatively, the Nevada behemoth is reportedly furthermore eyeing up the possibility of buying the license attached to the stalled Live! Hotel and Casino Philadelphia project that was to be built by The Cordish Companies in partnership with Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment Incorporated.
