As reported by: Bluff
Harrah's Entertainment recently leaked details of some changes that raised more than a few eyebrows, though on the surface it seems like a relatively simple business decision. The massive entertainment company has formed a subsidiary company to concentrate on internet operations for Harrah's, and more specifically, the World Series of Poker. And Harrah's chose Mitch Garber, former chief executive of PartyGaming, to head up the company.

While there is nothing odd about a company like Harrah's expanding to the internet in a way that focuses more resources on it, it is curious that someone deeply familiar with the online gaming industry has been picked to oversee it. Gerber's experience with PartyGaming, a company that supported sites like PartyPoker and PartyCasino, came after its post-UIGEA withdrawal from the U.S. market and would make him the ideal person to be solidly in place if Harrah's ever chose to institute its own online gaming website. Currently, that option is available in the global market should Harrah's opt to pursue it.

Even more interesting is that the disclosure of Gerber's new job with Harrah's came only a week after PartyGaming announced its settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice. The plea agreement consisted of an admission of guilt on the part of PartyGaming to providing illegal online gaming services to U.S. customers, as well as a $105 million fine, all of which may have cleared the company name (and those associated therein) with the U.S. government. And it has been no secret that Harrah's has investigated the possibility of launching an online gaming site in places like the Caribbean and countries within the European Union. The company's own CEO and Chairman Gary Loveman even contended in November of 2007 that online poker would be legalized in the United States in 2009.
Article By: Bluff