Lipparelli: First Nevada poker operators to be licensed in 60-90 days
Silver State's Gaming Policy Committee also recommends state and international compacts.
The first licences allowing operators to offer online poker in Nevada will be granted within the next three months, according to Nevada Gaming Control Board Chairman Mark Lipparelli (pictured).
Speaking at the final scheduled Nevada Gaming Policy Committee yesterday, chaired by Governor Brian Sandoval, Lipparelli said the first wave of real-money poker operators would be licensed in 60 to 90 days. The applicants, which are currently restricted to Vegas casinos, will then have to go through a stringent system testing process before going live. He did not specify which B2C brands would be first to offer online poker.
Last week eGaming Review exclusively revealed that Michael Gaughan’s South Point Poker was scheduled to be on the GCB agenda in August, and could be the first operator to be recommended for a licence. Two online poker service providers, IGT and Bally Technologies, have already obtained licences and are in testing phase, while Shuffle Master is likely to be awarded its licence by the state’s Gaming Commission later today, having been recommended by the GCB earlier this month. All three intend to provide services to allow bricks and mortar casinos to offer online poker.
The Committee also recommended legislative support to address concerns around Nevada’s small potential player pool. According the Las Vegas Review Journal it urged other states to explore the possibility of state compacts, and even suggested compacts on an international scale, in order to boost online poker liquidity.
Governor Sandoval said at the Committee hearing that he was confident the state’s regulator was doing enough to ensure operators are acting in the best interests of players.
“I have confidence in our regulatory system,” said Sandoval. “I have confidence all issues have been considered and exhaustively covered. The technology is always evolving, but I have a level of comfort the public is protected.”
The 11-person committee was revived by Sandoval in March after a 30-year hiatus in order to schedule five meetings to discuss legislation in advance of online gaming approval, and how Nevada can continue to be a global leader in industry regulation and commercial competition.