When Things Become Virtual

Apparently, the Internet gambling world is attractive enough to draw land based casino institutions to it. Be it for the masses of potential customers or the huge sums that the online industry deals with, one major land based venue is stepping into the virtual world. This step in their history, which we are witnessing these very days, is not related to earth and dirt.

The world's number one company in market value, the Las Vegas Sands, announced its intention to launch a poker site and enter the online industry. The move is significant in more than one way, as it allows this business, based in the heart of America, to reach British gamblers half the world apart, some 10,000 miles away. The date of the transition to the web is sometime early in 2007.

The move, naturally for a big player joining an existing industry, will also affect land based operations. Will land based institutions follow suit? Will they enjoy greater exposure and thus greater business due to their new paying arena on the Internet?

While the move online (and overseas) is viewed by industry insiders as a vote of confidence in the younger sister of land based gambling, it can also be a strong demonstration of power by the land based industry. They need not hesitate, fear or back away from the virtual gambling world. Their proven success and long history can only carry them far, farther away in any field they decide to enter.