Nevada Passes Online Poker Regulations 4-0
Update 12/24/11: Reactions to Nevada Regulations from poker professionals.
Update 12/23/11: Nevada Online Poker Regulations details including deposits, account opening procedurs, player safeguards and self exclusion details.
Around 3pm PT history was made at the Nevada Gaming Control Board in Las Vegas. In a 4-0 vote, the Nevada Gaming Control Board adopted internet gaming regulations. These regulations legalize online poker in the State of Nevada. These regulations also allow for licensed online poker operators in the state to offer interstate online poker should the federal government give its approval.
These regulations will give Nevada a big head start over other states competing to be home to the future regulated U.S. online poker market. Since Nevada is the first state with online poker regulations passed and an online gaming commission set up, states that follow by regulating online poker will certainly look to the state and its licensed operators for assistance.
The regulations that were passed will cover many of the issues that online poker opponents have been concerned about. These regulations include underage gambling, fraud, identity theft, technical protocols and problem gambling. The regulations require that a player be 21 years of age to play online poker through the licensed Nevada online poker rooms.
The passing of the regulations by the Nevada Gaming Control Board means that online poker is now considered to be legal in Nevada, assuming the operator is licensed in the state. Companies that have applied for an online poker license have yet to be approved. That means that while online poker is technically legal in Nevada, there is nowhere to actually play yet. It is expected to take at least until February 1st to begin approving online poker licensees.
Six companies have applied for online poker licenses in Nevada. These companies are 888 Holdings, Bally Technologies, International Game Technology, Shuffle Master, Cantor Gaming and South Point Poker. 888 Holdings hosts Caesar’s Entertainment’s World Series of Poker real money site which is available to UK players. Bally, IGT and Shuffle Master are slot manufacturers. IGT also owns the online poker network Entraction. Cantor Gaming owns many sports books in Nevada and offers mobile betting on sports and horses. South Point Poker currently offers a free play online poker room where players can compete to win prizes including a 2012 World Series of Poker seat.