Harrah’s Entertainment sent shockwaves through the gambling industry when it announced the official creation of its new subsidiary Harrah’s Interactive Entertainment.  The new company is Harrah’s way of committing to the development of online casinos and other forms of interactive entertainment.  While this may have been a big surprised for other United States based gambling operators, it cannot have been a shock to the rest of the world.

Online casinos got their start on small island nations with very relaxed gambling laws.  However, European gaming operators latched on to the business potential of online casinos very quickly.  Taking a step ahead of the small island nations, the British were the first to regulate online casinos.

For years now Ladbrokes, William Hill, and Rank have been branding online gambling services; including sports betting, bingo, online poker, and of course online casinos.  But all of the companies where offering land based gambling services for many years.

Harrah’s is one of the leading gambling providers in the world, it is almost shameful that only now are they making their foray into online casinos. The economy may have forced Harrah’s hand a bit.  Harrah is known for their luxurious super casinos.  They have no less than 50 casinos all across the country including venues in gambling Meccas Atlantic City and Las Vegas.  But in this economy those mega gambling venues are hardly making profit, while the low overhead of operating online casinos is proving to be great business.

“As the world's largest gaming company, Harrah's is taking a proactive approach toward international and interactive expansion,” said Gary Loveman, CEO of Harrah’s Entertainment.