Nevada Politicians Introduce Changes To Internet Poker Bill

Politicians in Nevada recently introduced AB114, a bill that would remove federal restrictions on internet poker, and create several other changes to the existing internet poker law, although not all of the changes are likely to go over well.

One of the changes that is likely to be accepted is a provision that would allow the Governor to appoint a subcommittee on gambling education with the goal of protecting gamblers who may be at risk with the new found freedom to bet at home.

More controversial is the attempt to raise the licensing fee for internet poker operators to $1 million, up from the current $500,000 that operators currently must pay. Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval has come out against such a provision, so this measure is unlikely to pass.

Another potentially divisive issue is the proposed 10 year ban for any gaming operator that has accepted U.S. bets since the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act was passed in 2006. It is not presently known whether or not this would impact any of the betting firms that have partnered with Las Vegas casinos to establish a digital betting presence.