Icelandic Firm Betware’s Goal: Supply Online Gambling Products to Massachusetts

Massachusetts may not yet have intrastate online casinos and poker rooms, but that’s not stopping Iceland-based company Betware from targeting the state as its prospective first foray into the U.S. market. 

In making the business announcement, Betware CEO Stefan Hrafnkelsson praised Massachusetts for its “technical expertise and innovate thinking,” factors which reportedly make the state ideal for Betware’s purposes and was key in the decision. “We believe they are the best fit,” said Hrafnkelsson. 

Hrafnkelsson went on to say that, though current federal laws are fairly restrictive on Internet casinos and online poker sites in the United States, the overriding Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act does allow for intrastate gambling under the guidance of a state-run regulatory body. 

Spokespeople for the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission told local media that a discussion between them and Betware representatives had taken place in March, but there are no plans to expand the electronic lottery games into online gambling as well. 

Betware recently signed a contract with Microgaming to distribute a package of 85 online games created by the software development giant to national lottery commissions which offer Internet gaming.  

Founded in 1996 and based in Reykjavik, Betware began by providing online solutions to Íslensk Getspá, which runs online gambling sites in Iceland. Betware also works with state lotteries in Canada, Denmark and Spain.