News

Tuesday, 02 March 2010 02:09

With the tide turning for Internet gambling in the US, the Virgin Group have taken an interest in individual states that seek to break free from federal laws.

The vast, largely untapped potential of a legalised and regulated Internet gambling market in the United States has several big operators waiting patiently in the wings for news of positive developments to come about. But with the recent moves by the states of California and Florida to begin the process for bringing that legislation in at state level in direct opposition with the largely unworkable UIGEA, some companies are getting ready to jump into the race even before the staring gun has been fired.

One of those companies is the Virgin Group, which is not well known as a player within gambling industry. However, as this company continues to expand, the online gambling markets and the vast earning potential they represent have fallen directly into the path of the radar of this energetic and forward thinking company. The US is poised to be the next big market to open up and Virgin is seeking investors to enable them to move in when the doors open.

Better known for their interests in the music industry as well as the travel and leisure industries, Virgin have gone from strength to strength since their founder, Sir Richard Branson started it all off as a market stall holder selling second hand records. It wasn't long before he opened his first record shop, with others soon to follow. His brand, Virgin Records, grew to become one of the UK's most endearing business success stories.

Branson deviated into the skies and formed the airline Virgin Atlantic, which was soon competing successfully with the likes of British Airways for domination of the air traffic from the UK to the United States. In 2007, he battled against the odds to get his company flying intercontinental within the United States with Virgin America, which now flies to most major cities.

So it's no real surprise that their next prospective move is purported to be within the online gaming industry. It is likely to get started as soon as California and Florida succeed in legalising online poker within their borders. For these two states are expected to do just that long before the rest of the country wakes up to the possibilities awaiting them in this area. This will likely happen before the UIGEA is successfully overturned by the hard work and determination of Representative Barney Frank and his proposed bill to legalise online gambling in the United