It might be more than that. He hasn't played at all. Flash settings and browser settings will also cause headaches.
Cookies need to be enabled, pop-ups need to be allowed and the Global Flash setting for WGT.COM should be set to 1MB. (If you're getting the Play screen then the pop ups are ok.)
Also, Ian, this game plays much better in Chrome or Firefox browsers.
This link gets you to what WGT would like to see--http://www.wgt.com/forums/t/635.aspx and this one goes into greater detail on other things that affect the game--http://wgt.com/forums/t/6655.aspx?PageIndex=1
GL and welcome to the addiction (when you get going.) :-)