Several months ago, Harrah’s Entertainment became the first American land-based casino to launch an online gambling website. Harrah’s online casinos are based overseas and do not currently accept players from the United States. However, they are now for the first time advertising to U.S. players.

Harrah’s, sponsor of the World Series of Poker, has begun advertising for their online casinos on their WSOP website. Players cannot gamble for real money on the WSOP.com website. Instead, the online poker website can be used as a tutorial to learn the game. Visitors play poker using chips of fake money. The World Series of Poker website has links to Facebook apps, iPhone apps and online casinos. In those online casinos, unlike the other options, players can gamble using real money.

Right now, American customers cannot play for real money at the online casino, but Harrah’s is hoping it will be an option in the near future. The casino company may be thinking that UIGEA will be repealed soon, since the Barney Frank/Ron Paul online gambling bill (Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act) has passed the House Financial Services Committee. However, as I have pointed out, there are numerous obstacles still in the way of that bill becoming a law. Many in the online gambling industry are growing pessimistic of its chances.

Though I doubt there is anything illegal in advertising for their real-money online casinos in the United States, you can expect Harrah’s to get some heat from the government. The Nevada Gaming Control Board is already looking into their online casino deal and determining whether it is proper. By advertising online casinos in the United States for the first time, the casino will bring itself under further scrutiny, possibly by the federal government this time.

Tags: Harrah's casino, Harrah's Entertainment, Harrah's online casino, HR 2267, Internet Gambling Regulation Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act, online casinos, online gambling, U.S. online casino, U.S. online gambling, UIGEA, Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act

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