Nevada to Provide Possible Legislation for Online Poker?

Written by Sadonna | Sunday, March 13th, 2011


A new bill has been has been drafted and is ready to be introduced by the state of Nevada that would legalize online poker in the state. This may seem very familiar to those who are following online poker legislation as many states in the US are trying to pass similar laws.

The bill comes a week after New Jersey struck down a similar law after the Governor cracked to the public’s leeriness and outside casino groups’  lobbying efforts.  The difference in the Nevada law is that players in other jurisdictions would be allowed to play online as well if the bill is passed.

The new bill was introduced by William Horne, a Democratic representative of Las Vegas, and the bill is backed by Richard Perkins, who is the former Speaker of the state. The bill is similar to others introduced by such states as Iowa, California and Florida as well as New Jersey – with of course a few noticeable differences.

The bill looks as though it is not limited to just residents of the state. The bill would allow the Gaming Commission of the state to sign compacts that would allow other jurisdictions to use the games, such jurisdictions where ‘interactive gaming is not prohibited’.  Operators that would be given a license in Nevada would be earning 4% of the gross gambling revenues from players that are not located in the state.

The difference in this bill and others could be from the recent deal signed between the Gaming Control Board in Nevada and the Alderney Gambling Control Commission. In addition, this bill will put stipulations placed on operators that might want to gain a license.

According to the bill, an operator might be denied a license in the state if they have operated or operate, or are associated with an interstate or foreign commerce at the same time they are licensed in another jurisdiction if they have one or more online poker operation that was unlicensed in the US or Nevada that initiated bets there were received by players in the US.

The bill is expected to be reviewed on March 24th by the Assembly Committee on Judiciary. It will be interesting to see what happens in the state of Nevada if this bill is passed into legislation.

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