Nevada 'Prepared' To Negotiate State I-Poker DealsState 'Waiting For The Appropriate Time To Go Forward,' Regulator Says |
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A hearing was held Thursday in the Nevada Legislature on the topic of Internet gaming and how to make it as financially juicy as possible for Silver State casinos.
A new bill on the table attempts to make a handful of tweaks to the rules overseeing the new industry, but perhaps most importantly would allow the governor to enter into partnerships with other states in order to combine player pools for online poker.
“Right now we have not entered into any such negotiations,” Gaming Control Board Chairman A.G. Burnett testified in front of the Assembly Judiciary Committee. “We are waiting for the appropriate time to go forward, but we are prepared to do so.”
States partnering with Nevada must have legalized the activity as well, according to testimony. In the summer of 2011, Nevada authorized web card playing for its casino giants.
Assemblyman William Horne, sponsor of the bill, said that deals would likely be forged with states that have large populations but don’t have the regulatory structure in place for an online poker industry. Nevada adopted its regulations in December 2011.
Gov. Brian Sandoval also testified at the hearing, which featured discussion on other parts of the bill. According to Horne, licensing fees will remain the same, instead of increasing like he had sought previously. Any future increase or decrease would be “prospective only.”
There were recent reports of Sandoval and Horne being at odds over the licensing fee increases, but they praised each other Thursday. It appears Sandoval got his way.
During his testimony, Sandoval made it clear that he wants Nevada to remain at the forefront of U.S. web betting. “We can’t wait any longer for Congress to act,” he said.
The bill, with some amendments along the way, is expected the easily pass through the legislature, eventually reaching Sandoval’s desk for signature. The legislation is simply a revision of existing law on the books concerning Nevada online gaming.
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