Online gaming will be top of the agenda when the Nevada Gaming Policy Committee meet later this week. The schedule for the June 14 meeting, released on the Nevada Gaming Control Board’s (NGCB) site, shows that an “overview of states’ online gaming licensing requirements and online fee structures” will be led by a presentation from Anna Thornley, senior research specialist at the Nevada Gaming Commission.
In addition to this there will be a “discussion of steps to take (including changes to state law) to preserve the state’s leadership position in online gaming if the federal government takes no action this year”. Frank Fahrenkopf from the American Gaming Association (AGA) will also give an “overview of the national gaming industry”.
The committee will also discuss the “economic development opportunities surrounding gaming”, with the session led by Steve Hill from the governor’s office of economic development and his thoughts on new industries and technology.
It’s the committee’s third meeting since it was revived by Governor Brian Sandoval to deal with Nevada’s move towards an intrastate online poker system.
Companies began applying for online poker licences late last year and Bally Technologies became the first to actually get the go ahead to provide online poker technology. It opened the floodgates as the NGCB then approved rival International Game Technology’s application before turning water into wine for British bookie William Hill – dispelling any rumors that the past of joint venture partner Teddy Sagi would scupper the plans.
The NGCB now meet on June 21 where they will decide if the applications are given the thumbs up or thumbs down. We would like to think that it’s very much like scene’s from Ancient Rome where an emperor decides their fate with his thumb. Alas it’s probably less interesting than that but for the industry at large these are exciting developments nonetheless.
