Bodog's music distribution channels and television production/distribution arm are already based in Europe, while the company's corporate headquarters has recently relocated to Antigua from Costa Rica. "This is another step aimed toward strengthening our business model," Ayre says. "This accords our gaming division a license in a safe, reliable and well-regulated jurisdiction and Antigua is also the right jurisdiction from where to run our European expansion."
While Bodog directs its attention away from the US, US-based company Las Vegas Sands Corporation has announced intentions to enter the online gaming fray with a UK-centric internet poker site. Las Vegas-based Sands Corp., which owns The Venetian and the Sands Expo Center, has entered into an agreement with Cantor Gaming, an affiliate of the global financial services company Cantor Fitzgerald, to launch an online casino and poker site initially aimed at serving the United Kingdom market.
According to a recent release from the Sands Corp, Cantor Gaming will provide a complete online casino and poker destination featuring Las Vegas Sands brands, including The Venetian, Sands, Palazzo, and Paiza brands. The site will offer the most popular casino games, including blackjack, roulette, baccarat, video poker, slots and online poker. The offering will be part of a full end-to-end gaming service, including customer age and location verification, online payment processing, and customer services. The site is expected to be launched during the second quarter of 2007. The site will be hosted, and the operator will be licensed, in compliance with the laws of Alderney, British Channel Islands. It will not accept U.S. customers.
"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 operating officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp. "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."
This is the not the first partnership between the two organizations. In May, Las Vegas Sands announced The Venetian's plans to become the first Nevada casino to provide mobile gaming based upon Cantor technology.
Lee Amaitis, President of Cantor Gaming said, "I am delighted to have reached another agreement with Las Vegas Sands organization, one of the most innovative hotel and resort casino operators in the world, to provide customers with an unparalleled online gaming experience. I am excited by the enormous potential of this partnership and look forward to developing this long-term relationship further."