The climate isn’t the only thing getting hot in Nevada lately. Nevada’s casinos are broadening their online presence in different ways. Las Vegas is getting ready for the influx of poker professionals arriving for the World Series of Poker (WSOP), including its owner, Caesars Entertainment. The company has recently announced some rule modifications for the series, aiming to attract more amateur players.
This week, not all news regarding gambling in Nevada is positive. A political scandal involving the state’s Attorney General is currently casting a shadow over casinos, portraying them in a less than favorable light.
Here’s a summary of all the gaming events taking place in the desert this week:
Nevada Attorney General in hot water
Headlines may be dominated by national politics, but a local political scandal in Nevada could have significant ramifications. The state’s Attorney General, Adam Laxalt, is embroiled in controversy following the emergence of audio tapes where he appears to be attempting to convince the Nevada Gaming Control Board to interfere in a civil case concerning casino tycoon Sheldon Adelson.
Adelson, being one of Laxalt’s major donors, has caused quite a stir due to the scandal. This isn’t the first instance where it appears Laxalt is prioritizing Adelson’s interests above those of the state. This leaves us questioning whether Laxalt’s position as a leading contender in the forthcoming gubernatorial race could be compromised. The answer will only be revealed in time.
Expectations for WSOP this summer just keep getting bigger
Last month, WSOP.com announced a large schedule of events taking place simultaneously with the 2017 World Series of Poker (WSOP). Referred to as the Summer Grind Tour, these events offer $2.5 million in guarantees and include three online poker bracelet events.
A significant portion of the schedule consists of online satellites leading into live WSOP events. This not only boosts the number of entries in the bracelet events but also promotes online poker.
US Poker highlights that numerous online poker sites have gained prominence due to their strong satellite offerings. WSOP.com is a prime example, with robust offerings expected to qualify over 1,000 players for live WSOP events this summer.
MGM and Stations logging on with new apps
It is becoming increasingly vital for a successful casino company to have an online presence. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that two separate casino companies have launched their own casino apps this week.
MGM’s sports betting app, which involves real money, has completed its trial phase and has now entered the competitive mobile wagering marketplace in Nevada. Despite the stiff competition, the casino company is hopeful that the unique features of the app, such as a recommended bet page and the ability to make online deposits, will distinguish it from others.
Stations Casino is eagerly anticipating the launch of its new social casino app, StationPlay. The technology for the app was supplied by GAN and will be accessible nationwide, not just in Nevada. Players will also have the opportunity to accrue points for Station Casinos’ real-money Boarding Pass rewards program through app play.
The app doesn’t have an official launch date yet, but it is expected to launch in a few weeks.
In poker, there is no time to waste
If you have been watching televised poker recently, you may have observed a trend, excuse the pun, of players taking an inordinate amount of time to make decisions.
Not only do these lengthy deliberations slow down poker’s TV pace, but they are also increasingly becoming a problem during the bubble phase in poker tournaments. Furthermore, the extended periods of quiet contemplation could potentially discourage amateurs from participating in events.
WSOP is attempting to resolve an issue by implementing several rule changes regarding calling the clock on a player. The aim is to accelerate action this summer. However, Martin Derbyshire from PlayUSA believes these changes may have a broader impact. He proposes that the widespread issue of tanking is spiraling out of control and that this rule modification could potentially transform the entire poker industry.
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