Harrah's Enters Online Sector

Las Vegas operator, Harrah's, has announced plans to launch a subscription-based online service starting in January 2004. Initially solely for the UK market, Lucky Me will charge users a monthly fee ranging from between $17 and $84 (US) depending on the number of game cards purchased.

Harrah's said the poor performance of MGM Mirage in the pay-as-you-play sector was a big factor in choosing the subscription route.

"So far the pay-as-you-play model has not worked well for other Vegas operators, and we think this offers something unique to the UK market," said a Harrah's spokesman. But he did not rule out the possibility of offering casino gaming at some point in the future, although improving the range of subscription-based games will be the first priority.

Online Offering

Roulette and blackjack will not be offered, but instead a range of games based on the type usually offered on play-for-fun internet sites will give users the chance to win cash and prizes. Exact details of the prizes to be offered has yet to be announced.

The software for the site is being developed by Revahertz, on a revenue-share deal, who previously designed the Gamesville site for Lycos.