It seems inevitable that BetMGM and/or Partypoker will launch in Nevada during 2022. Pokerfuse published several reports in the last few months that demonstrated enough evidence to convince me of it.
I think that the launch of BetMGM Poker and Partypoker in Nevada will change the state’s online poker industry in a positive way. Here are some reasons.
WSOP.com has abused its Nevada online poker monopoly
There were once three Nevada poker sites. Ultimate Poker launched first in 2013, followed by WSOP.com later that same year. In November 2014, Ultimate Poker ceased operations.
Real Gaming joined the Nevada online poker industry in February 2014. Its online poker software was the worst that I have ever seen. Real Gaming’s impact on Nevada online poker was irrelevant before quietly folding in 2016, leaving a WSOP.com monopoly in Nevada.
It is no secret that WSOP.com has been plagued with problems. Its software was dated and poor when it went live. Bugs, like when players disappear from waitlists, have gone unresolved nearly a decade since its launch. Arrogant and incompetent management and customer service have left Nevada poker players unsatisfied with the product.
WSOP.com has benefited from being the only licensed US poker site to combine player pools in multiple states. Delaware, Nevada and New Jersey WSOP.com sites share player pools. The Delaware online poker rooms use the same software as WSOP.com. However, its branding is related to the state’s three casinos.
WSOP.com also operates in Michigan and Pennsylvania. However, those states use a different software platform. Michigan recently joined the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement. This could signal that WSOP.com plans to use the modern software in Delaware, Nevada and New Jersey. However, it also opens the door for operators of Michigan online poker rooms to open in Nevada.
PokerStars operates in Michigan. However, it is likely barred from opening in Nevada due to a tainted assets clause in state law that pertains to online poker intellectual property that was used by offshore sites after 2006. That leaves BetMGM and Partypoker as the likely beneficiaries of this agreement by growing into Nevada when it was otherwise unfeasible before the interstate poker compact.
How BetMGM and Partypoker will help Nevada online poker
Monopolies are generally not great for any industry. The company with no competition does not need to try to retain customers. They are the only game in town. BetMGM and Partypoker entering Nevada would change that.
It seems that both BetMGM and Partypoker will launch in Nevada, when that day comes. Both sites are licensed. Players would be able to hit the first deposit bonuses at both if the same policy is used in Nevada as other states. That bonus clears at 50% rakeback. That should keep players busy for a couple of months.
The BetMGM and Partypoker network will know that they need to work hard out of the gate to retain those players. This will force WSOP.com to do the same. Maybe WSOP.com will finally bring in management that interacts with players and shows concern for complaints, as opposed to hiding from problems and banning critics from the site.
There is no telling when BetMGM and Partypoker will launch. The company has been silent on its intentions. However, it makes sense to get it out there before the 2022 World Series of Poker starts.
Online casinos are also legal in Nevada, but I doubt that goes anywhere
Nevada is one of seven states where online casinos are legal. The others are Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. However, Nevada has not launched online casino games, with the exception of permitting it on resort properties where the provider is based. For example, Cantor Gaming had mobile casino games where it operated sportsbooks last decade.
There is a BetMGM online casino. I do not feel that it has any chance of launching in Nevada. There is little interest in the state’s gaming industry to expand to casino games.
