MGM Mirage Seeks Cybercasino LicenseMGM Mirage Seeks Cybercasino License

U.S. citizens "appear to be off limits" as potential customers for online gambling, but MGM Mirage is holding an ace in the hole for the foreign market. It's one of 11 companies to apply for a cybercasino license from the tiny British Isle of Man.

Gambling for prizes is legal in the United States--but because cash prizes are not, MGM will have to bar U.S. citizens, as well as minors, if it does win one of the three licenses. But that's easily accomplished with off-the-shelf software, a spokesman says.

Australia already has enacted a bill allowing local businesses to run gambling sites for non-Australian customers. A handful of other countries--including Monte Carlo and the U.S. Virgin Islands-are studying the odds on following suit.