Bally Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BYI), a leader in slots, video machines, casino-management, interactive applications, and networked and server-based systems for the global gaming industry, today announced that its first iGaming platform is now live and powering a free-play poker website in partnership with Golden Nugget casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, N.J.
The website, which can be accessed by visiting goldennuggetpoker.com, is one of the first free-play poker sites in the United States driven by a licensed gaming manufacturer.
“This is a very monumental time for the Golden Nugget as we launch a play-for-free site and introduce our loyal patrons to a new way to enjoy gaming entertainment when they can’t be on property,” said Golden Nugget Chairman and Owner Tilman J. Fertitta. “We believe that online gaming is inevitable in the United States, and that our free-play site will enable the Golden Nugget to be well positioned to compete when U.S. laws allow for online gaming.”
“We’re thrilled to partner with the Golden Nugget as they leverage their free-play site to attract new players and drive existing players back to their land-based casinos,” said Richard Haddrill, Bally Technologies’ Chief Executive Officer. “This partnership will demonstrate the advantages of having an open iGaming platform, which allows for best-in-class content.”
The progression of Bally’s iGaming platform in the coming months will enable the Golden Nugget to have an integrated solution within their Bally mobile, online, and traditional system offerings. A “single view of the player” will be realized as Golden Nugget patrons utilize various gaming devices across multiple distribution channels.
Nevada and New Jersey are two of the leading jurisdictions exploring legalized online gaming. Bally Technologies’ proprietary iGaming platform is able to provide free play across the globe – and it will also provide online gaming where legal.
Bally Technologies’ iGaming platform offers casino operators a number of benefits. The platform is open, which enables operators to choose from best-of-breed content from a multitude of providers. The Company’s iGaming platform is also designed for mobile integration and is ready to accommodate online wagering beyond poker, such as casino table games, video slots, and sports betting.
“The integration to Bally’s CMP™ player-tracking system and Elite Bonusing Suite™ will enable casino operators to track and bonus players seamlessly through the traditional and virtual casino environments,” said John Connelly, Vice President of Business Development at Bally Technologies. “We are licensed as a gaming manufacturer in hundreds of jurisdictions around the world and will work with casinos to provide one view of their patrons across online, mobile, and traditional platforms.”
Bally Technologies received the first online gaming license in the United States last week when the Nevada Gaming Commission awarded Bally an interactive gaming supplier license.