Harrah’s Enters Online Gaming: As if we all couldn’t see this coming. The Vegas heavyweights are now pushing legislation to remove online bans and furthermore Harrah’s is the first to jump into the act. Here is the original story as told by CAP (Casino Affiliate Programs):

“It’s finally official: Rumors have been confirmed that Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc., a private company that ranks as the world’s largest gambling corporation, has hired former PartyGaming executive Mitch Garber to head up a new online division for the company.

On Friday, Harrah’s officially announced the launching of that new division, called Harrah’s Interactive Entertainment. This new subsidiary will also oversee the World Series of Poker (WSOP) — a hugely popular brand that’s growing at a dizzying rate in the U.S. and in Europe.

“As the world’s largest gaming company, Harrah’s is taking a proactive approach toward international and interactive expansion,” the Las Vegas Sun quoted Harrah’s CEO, Gary Loveman. “It is important we position ourselves to explore new markets as well as new technologies with our best in class brands.”

The company will retain Jeffery Pollack as the commissioner of the WSOP, making him the president of that subsidiary.

The land-based WSOP tournament began yesterday in Las Vegas. Last year’s tournament attracted 58,720 entrants from 124 different countries, according to the Sun.

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Harrah’s also plans to launch a new online poker site themed after the popular WSOP brand. This entry into the online marketplace also explains why the company has stepped up to support recent legislative efforts by U.S. Congress members Barney Frank and Jim McDermott to overturn the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006 — despite the fact that online gaming is thought by many to be in direct competition to land-based companies such as Harrah’s. “ End CAP Story

Not to sound too much like a conspiracy theorist, but I am not the only one who believes this: A few years ago when Bush signed that last minute nonsensical anti online gaming bill, we were stunned. Or were we. NO! The Vegas big shots missed out on the online revolution of the mid to late nineties and lost so much ground it could never be caught. So, using influence (money) they had that ridiculous online gambling ban tacked on to a port Act Bill. Giving it several years to beat back the online action, they are now ready to put on a legal show that includes sponsoring Senate Reps and the like, and introduce to America, and new and better monitored version of online gaming. One that will be taxed from all angles and with all proceeds going into the pockets of the American Casino fat cats. Shame on the American politicians and this circus act.