Nevada Gaming Seeks Public Input for New Internet Rules

Nevada Gaming continues their overhaul of state regulations in preparation for online poker plus casino games and maybe some day, eventually, sports betting. The Gaming Control Board (GCB) will hold a workshop in Las Vegas (livestreamed to Carson City) on September 26, where they\’ll be taking the pulse of public sentiment about where to draw the lines on matters that could directly impact many who work in the poker industry.

What\’s on the agenda shouldn\’t necessarily come as a surprise … licensing, affiliates, online operations, suitability, regulatory fees, technology standards yadda yadda … but does give a few clues about big decisions being considered for who may or may not get to make money off of all things online poker in the future:

1. Interactive Gaming and Interactive Gaming Service Providers – Receipt of public input and discussion of possible amendments to NGC Regulations to provide for a framework for the regulation of interactive gaming and interactive gaming service providers in the State of Nevada in accordance with the Gaming Control Act as amended by provisions of A.B. 258 and S.B. 218 passed during the 76th (2011) Legislative Session. Such discussion includes, but is not limited to, the following:

a. Possible New Regulation 5A – Operation of Interactive Gaming.
PURPOSE: To adopt a comprehensive framework to regulate the operation of interactive gaming in the State of Nevada to include: the scope of the regulations; definitions; licensing and application requirements; license fees; investigative fees; operation of only approved interactive gaming systems; required internal controls that shall meet minimum standards; detection and prevention of criminal activities; access to premises and production of records; revolving investigative fund; requirements pertaining to house rules; registration of individuals to engage in interactive gaming; requirements pertaining to interactive gaming accounts; requirements pertaining to self-exclusion; prohibitions against certain types of wagers; requirements pertaining to information that must be on an interactive gaming website; requirements pertaining to filing suspicious wagering reports; gross revenue computations for interactive gaming; resolution of disputes; requirements pertaining to records; grounds for disciplinary action; powers pertaining to the issuance of an interlocutory stop order; provisions pertaining to interactive gaming service providers; provisions allowing for a waiver; scope and effectiveness of an operator of interactive gaming license.

b. Possible Amendment NGC Regulation 14 – Manufacturers, distributor, operators of inter-casino linked systems, gaming devices, new games, inter-casino linked systems, on-line slot metering systems, cashless wagering systems and associated equipment.
PURPOSE: To amend Regulations 14.010, 14.020, and 14.040 and create a new Regulation 14.024 and to include the following: to amend the definitions of “cashless wagering system,” “chairman” and “manufacture;” to provide definitions for “equipment associated with interactive gaming,” “interactive gaming system,” “manufacturer of equipment associated with interactive gaming,” and “proprietary hardware and software;” to provide that a manufacturer of equipment associated with interactive gaming may be required to file an application for licensure; to require all manufacturers of associated equipment to register with the board; to provide that applications for a manufacturer or distributor license or for a finding of suitability to be a manufacturer of equipment associated with interactive gaming shall be subject to the application and investigative fees established pursuant to Regulation 4.070; to amend the minimum standards for gaming Notice and Agenda of Public Workshop devices to include that gaming devices must display the rules of play, the amounts to be paid on winning wagers, rake-off percentage or any fee charged to play a game, and monetary wagering limits for games representative of live gambling games.

c. Possible Amendment to NGC Regulation 3 – Licensing: Qualifications.
PURPOSE: To amend Regulation 3.100 to include provisions related to interactive gaming and service providers.

d. Possible Amendment to NGC Regulation 8 – Transfer of ownership; loans.
PURPOSE: To amend Regulation 8.130 to include operators of interactive gaming and service providers.

Possible Amendment to NGC Regulation 4 – Applications: Procedure.
PURPOSE: To amend Regulation 4.030 to provide that a manufacturer’s license includes a manufacturer of interactive gaming systems; to provide for an operator of interactive gaming license; to provide for a service provider license.

2. Service Providers – Receipt of public input and discussion of possible amendments to NGC Regulations to provide for a framework for the regulation of service providers in the State of Nevada in accordance with the Gaming Control Act as amended by provisions of S.B. 218 passed during the 76th (2011) Legislative Session. Such discussion includes, but is not limited to, the following:

a. Possible Amendments to NGC Regulation 5 – Operation of Gaming Establishments.
PURPOSE: To amend Regulation 5 to add provisions pertaining to service providers that may include, but not be limited to, definitions; license classifications; licensing standards and qualifications; licensing fees; location of service provider operations; minimum internal and operational controls; provisions related to licensing of or finding suitable persons owning, operating or having a significant involvement with service providers; liability for fees and taxes; provisions related to gaming employees; grounds for disciplinary action.

b. Possible Amendments to NGC Regulations 3, 8 and 4 as listed above pertaining to service providers.

For the complete GCB document, click here.