Online Poker Regulation a Step Closer in Nevada

Poker fans in the US state of Nevada have reason to celebrate with the recent news that the Nevada Gaming Commission has approved proposed regulations to allow for the issuing of online gaming licenses in the state, and thus online poker.

On Thursday last week the Nevada Gaming Commission unanimously approved the proposal, which has opened the way for long-awaited licensed and regulated online poker in Nevada. According to reports, the proposal requires that all applicants for a Nevada online gaming license meet certain key criteria.

These include proving that they have the ability to maintain strict controls on player registration (with the aim of preventing underage gaming), as well as being able to verify that their targeted players actually reside within the borders of Nevada.

Nevada Online Poker Regulation Closer Than Ever

Called Regulation 5A, the 'Nevada online poker regulation' was one of six draft proposals that came before the Nevada Gaming Commission last week, and covers many aspects of online poker regulation in the state including licensing fees, taxation, problem gambling notifications, dispute resolution and even procedures for accurate record keeping.

While some online poker fans in Nevada may be skeptical about this so-called online poker regulation in Nevada going forward, the Nevada Gaming Commission has confirmed it is considering applications from six major US gambling firms - Caesars Entertainment Corporation, the South Point Hotel Casino, Cantor Gaming, Shuffle Master Incorporated, Bally Technologies Incorporated and International Game Technology.

However, while this online poker regulation is designed to open up Nevada's online poker industry, before that can happen, the country's draconian federal anti-online gambling bill - the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) - must be repealed in Washington DC.

And when or if that will happen anytime soon is still very much unknown.

Nevada Casinos Recognise Profitably of Online Gaming

Interestingly, Nevada has always been one of the states most opposed to the legalisation and regulation of online gambling at a state and federal level. The reason being it is home to America's the nation's largest gambling companies, the majority of which have seen online gambling as a threat to their profitability. But their stance has changed as they have recognised just how profitable online gaming is, especially without the high overheads of traditional bricks and mortar casinos.

This last effort to have online poker legalised in Nevada was spearheaded in March this year by Las Vegas Assemblyman William Horne, who submitted his AB258 bill. This legislation was approved in May by the Nevada Assembly before being passed by the Democrat-controlled Nevada Senate, and ultimately signed into law by Republican governor, Brian Sandoval in June.