Operators across Europe are working hard to get into America’s online gambling market. Ever since the Department of Justice announced that the Wire Act would no longer apply to most forms of online gambling, gaming companies have been scrambling to become a part of America’s online gambling world.

Ladbrokes is the latest company to attempt to enter the American gambling market. The UK-based operator recently spent £2 million on a 65% stake in Stadium Technology Group. The company is responsible for the IT departments in some of Las Vegas’ biggest casinos, including Treasure Island and the Golden Nugget.

Working with an American company seems to be safest bet for international operators. By entering the market on their own, they could face isolation and even legal repercussions. Companies like PlayTech and IGT have also gone this route.

This puts Ladbrokes in the perfect position to enter the American online gambling market. Las Vegas is one of the states that is closest to offering online gambling, and Ladbrokes will be in the ideal place at the right time.

The online gambling market in the United States is potentially one of the most lucrative in the world. Despite the country restricting operators from offering online gambling services to its residents, many operators based throughout Europe have continued to operate in the American market. While it seems that they have earned a huge head start for when the market finally is legalized, that may not be the case.

The United States’ government has announced that it may be restricting access to operators who continued to operate in the American market while the UIGEA was enacted. They will be punished not only because it was unfair to other, American-based operators but also because they committed a crime by refusing to exit the market and oblige by the UIGEA.

It is unfortunate for UK- and Europe-based online gambling operators. However, it gives American-based brands a fair shot at the online gambling market. Land-based brands that are owned and operated by American business owners have stayed out of the market so far, but the new law may give them the fighting chance that they have been looking for.

These amendments have only been mentioned so we will have to wait and see if they will actually be implemented.