Nevada Moves Closer to Online Poker Regulation

August 29 - Nevada moved one step closer to a legal online poker room regime by releasing proposals for the regulation of the game this week.

Nevada is moving ahead with legislation to allow for the regulation of online poker in the state as soon as the federal government passes a law to allow it.

As soon as laws pass on a federal level, Nevada believes that many states will be rushing to get in on the race and will need to pass state legislation to permit online poker.  By getting all the legislation in place already, Nevada believes that it will be able to benefit instantly from any new federal laws.

In a statement issued by the Nevada Gaming Control Board this week, chairman Mark Lipparelli said: "Internet poker has become a multibillion dollar business around the world.  The technology supporting it, while not perfect, has improved dramatically since its introduction."

"Similar to our land based requirements, Nevada will establish high standards giving players as much confidence as possible in the entities and technologies that might eventually gain approval.";

Finalization Process Begins Next Month

The proposals have been drafted so that they will be compatible with any form of federal approval passed.

"We can't predict what may happen with any national legislation and we have attempted to frame these regulations in a manner that will provide appropriate flexibility," said Liparelli. "This will be a rigorous process and these regulations will , no doubt, undergo a good deal of revision."

Some of the regulations in the draft proposals are as follows::

• Online poker operators will be taxed at the same rate as local brick and mortar casinos.

• Internet gambling is limited to poker where players wager against each other, instead of against the house.

• Software companies will need to keep records of all games for a period of five years and the details of players involved in games.