A major land-based card room is launching its own online gambling
site, following the cautious "play for free" and prizes
model perhaps in the hope that US regulation rather than banning will
come about.
In what may signal the shape of things to come and reflects the growing
synergy between the online and the bricks and mortar casino, particularly
in poker, Los Angeles-based The Bicycle Casino has launched its own
online gaming site branded The Bike.com – a play for free casino.
While the online site will not involve gambling for money, it will
allow users to rack up points redeemable for cash and prizes.
The new site reflects the variety and professional expertise of The
Bicycle, which is one of the world’s largest card rooms with
over 135 tables and features some of the world’s biggest poker
tournaments. The casino promises that its new online gaming experience
will offer the same quality play and customer service as is found
on the casino floor in Los Angeles. It boasts an array of poker games
tournaments and tutorials with additional special features offered
via webcam.
Poker is particularly featured with Texas Hold 'Em, although Blackjack
and Pan are vigorously promoted as well.
"The Bicycle Casino is excited to be the first card room
with an online presence," notes Haig Kelegian, Managing
Partner of The Bicycle Casino. "We are known for great
gaming and customer service and we're happy we have a medium that
will allow us to bring that beyond our physical location in Los Angeles
and extend free gaming to everyone online."