Bally’s Chair Soo Kim Suggests Novel Approach to US iGaming Legalization

Article by : Erik Gibbs Nov 5, 2024

• 
• 

Soo Kim, Chairman of Bally’s Corporation, recently suggested a unique path to advance the legalization of iGaming, across more US states. Recognizing the resistance traditional online slots and full iGaming legalization have faced in state legislatures, Kim proposes an incremental approach starting solely with live dealer table games, particularly in states like New York and Illinois. He believes this gradual method, focused only on live-streamed games with human dealers, may offer a practical compromise, gaining legislative support by focusing on job creation rather than the broader, more controversial aspects of iGaming.

The live dealer model, where players interact in real-time with human dealers over video for games like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat, provides a close alternative to the experience at a physical casino. Instead of relying on algorithms, the games follow the actual movements and actions of a dealer at a table, with bets placed online by remote players. Kim’s plan hinges on the idea that lawmakers may be more comfortable with live dealers as a starting point, as this format presents a workforce-centered solution that may sidestep some common concerns about broader iGaming adoption. 

For Bally’s, Kim’s vision is not entirely theoretical. Rhode Island, where Bally’s has a state-granted monopoly over gaming operations, already limits online table gaming to live dealer formats. 

Through its exclusive Bally Casino in Twin River Lincoln, the company operates online live dealer games, offering a model of how this system can work in practice. The games stream live from either casino studios or dedicated facilities, allowing players to participate remotely in real-time, without losing the tactile appeal of a live game. 

Seven states currently allow iGaming in some form, including Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia, with industry leaders like Evolution Gaming and Playtech leading the content delivery for live dealer games.

Industry sources say an approach centering on live dealers could be a feasible direction in states that have hit a wall with broader iGaming legislation. Legislative sessions have often seen full-scale iGaming proposals fail, especially when arguments over online slots and other game types emerge. 

According to Kim, focusing on live dealer games could avoid those contentious points. By excluding online slots, which bring their own debates around responsible gaming and social impact, live dealer games present a narrower scope for lawmakers, which might translate to quicker legislative adoption.

2025 could be the year where this incremental approach gains traction in legislatures, particularly in states that have shown interest in online gambling’s economic potential but have stopped short of fully opening their markets. This step-by-step tactic could also provide a less risky testing ground for states wary of the broader impacts of iGaming, giving them an opportunity to assess public and political response.