Bwin Gambling Arrives in Italy

Bwin Interactive Entertainment has announced that it will launch real-money skill games online for Italians, after becoming the first operator to receive permission to do so.

Italy's Amministrazione Autonoma Dei Monopoli Di Stato (the State Monopolies Autonomies Administration, or AAMS) regulatory body approved the move, which will allow Bwin to offer games including solitaire, blackjack, three-card poker, backgammon and eight-ball billiard.

The Austrian company had already launched poker for Italians in late October, using the new P5 Poker Engine, developed by its Ongame Network subsidiary.

"As the world's leading online gaming company, Bwin continues to fortify its position in the Italian market as a genuine 'house of games' with sports bets and online poker and now also real-money skill games," said co-CEO Norbert Teufelberger.

Founded in 1999 as Betandwin.com, Bwin is constantly developing its products, offering Web sites in 22 different languages. The company has a particularly large presence in Italy, where it sponsors the A.C. Milan football club, meaning its logo appears on the team's jersey.