Nevada Gaming Policy Committee to Discuss State's Online Poker Plans Next WeekAmerican Gaming Association's Frank Fahrenkopf to Give Presentation |
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The Nevada Gaming Policy Committee, headed by Gov. Brian Sandoval, will reconvene on June 14 in Las Vegas to talk about the state’s looming Internet poker industry.
American Gaming Association President Frank Fahrenkopf will kick off the meeting with a presentation on the state of the U.S. gaming industry. The AGA is the commercial casino industry’s top lobbying group in Washington, D.C. and has been pushing for a federal online poker measure.
However, some of the AGA’s member companies are hedging their bets with intrastate.
Nevada online poker licensing requirements will also be discussed by the 11-member panel. At the last meeting, MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren said he’d like to talk about reducing licensing fees. MGM is an applicant to operate intrastate web poker and would do so with Bwin.party Digital Entertainment technology.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board has already approved licenses for software providers Bally Technologies, Inc. and International Game Technology. Both applications go to the Gaming Commission on June 21 for a final ruling. If granted, IGT and Bally will then have their respective technologies tested.
The Gaming Policy Committee will end Thursday by mulling over the steps needed to remain at the forefront of online gaming if the federal government doesn’t pass a bill. A handful of other states are playing catch-up to Nevada.
Most industry insiders are in agreement that a federal regime for online gaming will not be formed in 2012. Some think it will never happen and online poker will exist as a state-by-state patchwork. Despite Nevada’s progress, Control Board Chairman Mark Lipparelli has said that he still prefers a federal law.
The Nevada Gaming Policy Committee has no decision-making power, and exists only as a forum to hash out potential recommendations for the state legislature.
Follow Brian Pempus on Twitter — @brianpempus
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