An industry analyst has stated that a potential deal between online gaming company PartyGaming and the US government over the former’s possible prosecution under the notorious UIGEA policy is ‘premature’.

PartyGaming operated online games, including online bingo games, in the US market before the implementation of UIGEA in late 2006. The US government may take legal action against PartyGaming for its pre-UIGEA activities if an agreement cannot be reached.

Numis Securities analyst Richard Carter has noted that a potential deal is probably still months away.

PartyGaming operates online bingo hall PartyBingo, a popular UK online bingo site. The PartyGaming case is seen by many bingo online observers as a bellwether for where US government policy is heading regards the US online gaming market.

The US’ UIGEA policy restricts UK bingo online games operators from doing business in the US market.

888.com’s strategy of consolidation through partnerships took another step forward with the signing of a third partnership deal within the month.

The company has signed a strategic deal with UK-based online gaming content provider Electracade. Electracade boasts over 100 different games including sports betting, casinos scratch-cards and online bingo. These games will now be made available to 888.com as part of the partnership deal.
“As part of the continued execution of our strategy to select ‘best-of-breed’ partners to provide us with additional games I am delighted that this agreement enables us to access Electracade‘s soft and instant games portfolio, which is complementary to our existing internally developed gaming portfolio,” said Gigi Levy, CEO at 888.com.

888.com has recently closed other deals with online games software provider Cryptologic and also with Gaming Technology Solutions. 888.com’s popular online bingo hall winkbingo places the company firmly within the free online bingo industry and the recent partnerships signal the company’s intention to remain in online gambling’s fastest growing niche.

Written by Anthea for Eyes Down Bingo – Your Bingo UK blog