Playboy Online Casino Can't Hang On, Folds to UIGEA

But the casino was never able to tap its full potential, as the international appeal of the Playboy name was lukewarm compared to the response the iconic label draws in the US.

The Playboy brand, immensely popular in the US but less known overseas, has not been sufficient to sustain the Playboy Casino, an online gambling site denied access to US players. In a recent e-mail circulated to players, Playboy Casino announced it would cease operations effective January 29th.

After months in development, the Playboy Internet casino came online in early 2007, only to find that its software supplier, Cryptologic, had been forced by the passage of the UIGEA  scant weeks before to withdraw from the US market. Playboy had hoped that name recognition would draw crowds of players to its gaming site, and even contracted with Cryptologic to develop a monthly game designed around Playmates.

But the casino was never able to tap its full potential, as the international appeal of the Playboy name was lukewarm compared to the response the iconic label draws in the US. The shutdown of the casino comes at a time of turbulence for the Playboy empire, as Chritie Hefner steps down as CEO and rumors of asset sales include such vernerable Playboy institutions as the Playboy mansion.

Online casino insiders are puzzled at the timing of the move, as a new Congress and President in the US may herald the loosening of laws forbidding online gambling. Still, Playboy Casino apparently could not outwait the legislative battle sure to occur soon.

With the Cryptologic online slots featuring Marvel superheroes and the unique Girl of the Month game, Playboy would have been a natural for the US market. Although other Cryptologic casinos will surely represent the Marvel line if and when the US market reopens, it is a shame an unconstitutional and unworkable law like the UIGEA manages to strangle this casino before it is put to rest itself.