888 Holding’s CEO Brian Mattingley says he sees a willingness for Native American tribes in California to work together to offer online gaming and is also optimistic that online gaming will gain ground this year in New York and Pennsylvania.
Mattingley’s comments came in a press conference covering the company’s earnings for the final quarter of 2013. Taking part in the call were Mattingley, chief executive of 888, CFO Aviad Obrien and COO Itai Frieberger.
Here’s a rundown of topics covered as reported by Online Poker Report.
On California:
Mattingley said he is “bullish about activities in California” and has received an “indication” from potential partners that “there is a willingness by the native North American tribes” to work together on regulation.
Though not the only issue concerning online gaming in the state, developing the best approach to online gambling regulation among tribal gambling interests is regarded as the primary stumbling block for bringing regulated online poker to the state.
Mattingley conceded, however, that he’s “not really sure whether it will be in 2014,” but believes “there is forward movement” in California.
On Pennsylvania and New York:
Mattingley said he recently met with Pennsylvania gambling regulators and feels the picture there is “looking quite exciting,” noting that pending budget shortfalls could “raise interest in online gaming.”
The Pennsylvania Legislature reportedly will consider an online gaming bill in the coming weeks.
Mattingley also suggested that New York is witnessing “some activity” centered on online poker.
On New Jersey:
Though the first set of revenue figures for online gaming in New Jersey were lower than expected—only $8.4 million in the first six weeks—Mattingley and Frieberger downplayed those figures.
Mattingley said the figure represents the “very early days” and that the numbers were “not indicative of what the market will end up with.”
Frieberger called the first weeks of online gaming in New Jersey “a trial phase” that were a “bit short of what will be the run rate.” He said “that the market will grow, will grow in terms of numbers and will also grow in terms of new customers coming in.”
Mattingley and Frieberger also said that the core challenges to growth in New Jersey have been problems with geolocation software and banking issues.
Geolocation problems are on the decline, Mattingley said explaining that regulators “have now opened that window a little bit which is allowing more customers to be identified as bona-fide players in the state.”
Credit card issuers and banks that refuse to process online gambling transaction have presented a bigger problem, however.
“I don’t think it will resolve it until the whole U.S. market becomes more attuned to online gaming,” Mattingley said,
He also said 888 is focusing more on marketing its online poker site in New Jersey.
