South Point and Monarch set for online poker licence hearing
Online poker draws nearer in Nevada as first operators await to hear fate at GCB meeting on 8 August.
South Point Poker and Monarch Interactive could be the first operators to receive online poker licences in Nevada, following the news they will appear on the state’s Gaming Control Board (GCB) agenda next week.
Michael Gaughan, the South Point casino owner and Vegas stalwart, said last month that his newly launched interactive arm, South Point Poker, would be the first online poker operator to go live.
He told eGaming Review North America that his gaming platform had already progressed to the second stage of systems testing with one of Nevada’s independent testing labs (ITLs) and “will be live in September”.
South Point Poker has also filed applications to become a service provider and manufacturer of online poker games in Nevada, meaning the company could offer its newly created poker product to fellow operators.
Monarch Casino and Resort has been less forthcoming with its plans. Like other land-based operators it is understood the casino group would have to partner with an online gaming specialist in order to launch a product, unless it is developing its own in-house.
Casino cash solution Global Cash Access will also appear in front of the GCB. The company has applied to be a service provider to interactive gaming companies.
All three companies will have their applications considered on 8 August by the GCB, which will then make a recommendation to the state’s Gaming Commission.
Since applications have been considered, IGT, Bally Technologies and Shuffle Master have been awarded licences. Each will compete to offer B2B online poker services to operators.
More than 30 gaming operators and service providers have applied for licenses in Nevada, including the likes of Caesars, Boyd Gaming and MGM Resorts, who will hope to see their names on the GCB agenda in the coming months.