Golden Nugget to Launch Free Online Poker Site

You can now add the Golden Nugget to the list of Las Vegas casinos who are tentatively planning to move into the realm of online poker. The Golden Nugget announced today that they will be launching a free online poker site this summer – a move that has already been made by a handful of other properties based in Vegas.

In order to power their website, the Golden Nugget will be partnering with French online poker and casino operator Chiligaming, which runs rooms including Chili Poker. Chiligaming had already moved into the US market by offering their play money network inside the United States, and has considered offering a subscription-based poker room similar to the World Poker Tour’s Club WPT.

Of course, the Golden Nugget isn’t just looking to extend their branding online by offering players a few free poker games. The move will likely leave the Golden Nugget in excellent position to capitalize on any changes in US regulatory laws that allow them to offer online poker to their players – either in Nevada, where the Gaming Commission has already begun shaping regulations for online poker, or on a national stage if federal laws should change.

“We believe that online gambling is inevitable in the United States,” said Golden Nugget owner Tilman J. Fertitta, “and that the Golden Nugget will be well positioned to compete when US laws allow for online gaming.”

The Golden Nugget is one of the oldest and most famous casinos in Las Vegas. Located on the Fremont Street Experience, it is one of the most popular casinos in the city outside of the Las Vegas Strip. The Golden Nugget has been in operation since 1946, and is now operated by Landry’s Restaurants.