IGT Moving On US Poker Market

How close is International Game Technology (IGT) to making its move on the US poker market?
If the company’s decision to shut down 75% of Entraction’s operations in multiple  European gray markets is any indication, things are moving very quickly.
IGT Moves On America
IGT bowled over the poker world last spring with its $114 million purchase of the Swedish Entraction Network. That move signaled a major push by the company to simultaneously improve the player experience on Entraction, while preparing for an entry into the US market.
By June, the company had been approved for a Nevada gaming license, despite some questions about when Entraction had stopped taking bets from US players. (In a good sign for other intrastate gaming license applicants, the Gaming Control Board was very understanding on that issue.)
IGT Leaves Gray Markets
Perhaps the biggest signal that a US move will happen sooner rather than later was the company’s decision to shut own IGT Network operations in a number of European gray markets. Those markets included Canada, Israel, Russia, Norway, Turkey, Spain, Australia, Cyprus and Belgium.
While iGaming is legal in these countries, their regulatory standards are, for a variety of reasons, not up to Nevada’s standards. Silver State gaming regulators lauded IGT for their proactive moves in divesting from those markets.
Moving Forward
As IGT shores up their poker network, it’s clear they’re looking to be a major player in the worldwide poker market.
In an interview with InsidePokerBusiness.com, IGT Interactive Marketing Director Peter Laverick said IGT’s considered Microgaming and PlayTech to his main competitors.
That’s a clear signal that IGT is setting their sites very high.
How do you think IGT’s big plans will pan out? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.