Nevada considering intrastate online poker regulation

[GPWA Aaron]

In fact, there's a hearing on a bill in the state Senate's Judiciary Committee right now. It's SB 103 ... you can watch it here: http://www.leg.state.nv.us/MeetingDisplay/AudioVideo/

I'll be live blogging what I'm seeing as the hearing goes forward. Mostly I'm impressed

Bryn Gibson (spelling?), a lawyer representing Cantor Gaming is testifying right now.

[GPWA Aaron]

Daniel Greenspun is now testifying. He's Vice Chairman of the Greenspun corporation. Owns Vegas.com ... has more than 350 employees, provides services to 100 businesses.

[GPWA Aaron]

Not much from Greenspun ... mostly just wanted to say he supports passage of the bill.

[GPWA Aaron]

Lee Amaitis, an executive with Cantor Fitzgerald Gaming is next up. Cantor Gaming operates mobile gaming systems in Nevada, allowing casino patrons to play approved games (e.g., blackjack, sports bets, etc.) on wireless devices within the state. They introduced in-game wagering via handheld devices.

[GPWA Aaron]

Once again, just a guy that wants to say he's for it.

[GPWA Aaron]

Other supporting witnesses
Phillip Flaherty (affiliation unknown) is also here to speak on behalf of the bill and answer questions.
Mark Lipparelli is speaking on behalf of the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

No one is there to speak in opposition.

[GPWA Aaron]

Consideration of SB 103 is now closed, they are now taking comments on SB 218, which is apparently a very similar bill.

Lipparelli is now summarizing the bill ...

[GPWA Aaron]

Section 2 of the bill apparently has to do with how financial transactions are occurring within the gaming industry. In the past, most transactions took place on the casino floor (i.e., buy chips, play with chips, take chips to cashier, cash out chips). This bill would explicitly make those transactions legal on computer networks.

"The likelihood is that there would be an enhancement to security" says Lipparelli.

Hosting centers would be located within Nevada boundaries.

[GPWA Aaron]

Most of the second bill (SB 218 ) doesn't have anything to do with online gambling ... back with more if there's more to report.

[GPWA Aaron]

The committee has now adjourned. Wasn't much to report from this today. Most legislative sessions (not led by Barney Frank) are boring, and this one might just top the list. We'll be following this as it develops in the coming days, weeks and months.

[BeckyCA]

haha!! Aaron, loving that you said most legislative sessions are boring unless they are led by Barney Frank. Too funny. Anyway, have a read of the article that Steven Stradbrooke wrote about this bill...there are some interesting predictions in there from Calvin Ayre and team. What do you think the chances are that a bill like this could get passed?

http://calvinayre.com/2011/03/10/leg...outside-state/

Becky

[JoeAdams]

I think chances of passing the bill is lower than 50%, I'm not so sure, after Gov. Christie vetoed on the previous bill it seems to undergo a long way.