WMS Eyes Expansion Into Web Gambling

January 27, 2010: summarized from Casino Journal -- WMS Gaming is looking to break into Internet gambling.

“WMS will debut its capabilities and solutions that harness the scale of the Internet to pursue online wagering opportunities in the United Kingdom,” said Chief Executive Brian Gamache in a statement cited by British trade news Web site EGRmagazine.com.

“This initiative is expected to launch in fiscal year 2011, subject to regulatory approval [and] we look forward to expanding our presence in the UK marketplace,” Gamache said.

The U.S.-based slot machine giant will commence with a UK-targeted operation, with plans to expand into the French, Italian and Spanish markets, depending on the regulatory environment.

“We will only trade in markets where e-gaming is expressly legal, but there is plenty on our radar, and we will expand market by market,” said Brian Morgan, the company’s director of online gaming.

WMS is looking for central London offices, Morgan said, and is in the process of hiring staff in the UK. The company’s existing Uxbridge offices outside London house an internationally focused game development studio and sales and distribution resources. WMS also has offices on the continent and owns Netherlands-based games and systems developer Orion Gaming.

Morgan is a founder of Cyberslotz, which was sold a couple of years ago, along with parent company Talarius, to Australian lottery and gaming group Tatts. He joined WMS in 2008.

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