Ladbrokes is stepping up its online push into Italy with the introduction of casino poker followed by casino and bingo games.
Following its move to abandon retail betting shops across Italy, citing corruption and competition as impediments to growth, Ladbrokes has decided to go full steam ahead with its online offering in Italy, according to a report in yesterday's Financial Times.
A Ladbrokes spokesperson was quoted in the Times as saying 'We are committed to expanding the international reach of our online business and Italy is an excellent regulated market opportunity'.
Italy, like France is liberalizing its online gambling markets and from 2010 restrictions on cash poker games and other casino games will be lifted. Currently Ladbrokes only offers tournament (fixed price entry and tournament chip play) poker only, but this will change in the new year with the introduction of cash play for Italian players. Casino games like blackjack, roulette, baccarat and slots will be soon to follow in 2010 along with bingo.
As certain European I-gaming markets close while others liberalize, major operators are busy trying to gain licenses and establish a presence where possible. Italy, France and Spain are all tipped to be future growth markets.
The Spannish government is planning a nationally regulated online gambling regime to be in place as early as 2011 and Ladbrokes has already established a joint venture there with local slots operator Cirsa.
To visit Ladbrokes online, click here.
Subscribe to feed