The big boys are slowly but surely finding their way into the lucrative online gaming industry. Hilton sneaked in last year with its partial ownership of the company that purchased CentreBet. American Wagering, Inc., a Nevada bookmaker, recently launched its online sportsbook, MegaSports Australia. And the latest company to flirt with involvement is Playboy Enterprises.
The company's Internet division, Playboy Online, has signed a deal with GalaxiWorld Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of GLC Limited, to create a co-branded play-for-fun online casino. Naturally, they haven't indicated intentions of taking bets. Take note, however, that if the opportunity to safely go live with real wagering arrives, they've planted one foot in the door by forming a partnership with an established Internet software provider. Also take note that the "Playboy Play 4 Fun" casino games section will have links to the GalaxiWorld.com Internet
casino, where real money can be wagered.
Playboy Enterprises recently reacquainted itself with the gaming industry with the opening of the Playboy Casino at the historic Hotel des Roses on the Greek Island of Rhodes. The company, according to Chairmen and CEO Christie Hefner, is "aggressively exploring other casino gaming opportunities."
Playboy Online's new casino games section is expected to debut in April.