Wed, 03/30/2011 – 01:26 – PokerPages Staff

The first owner of a Las Vegas casino to publicly support legalizing Internet poker has spoken out. South Point Hotel and Casino owner Michael Gaughan has recently expressed his view that online games and poker are definitely coming and he has no doubt in his mind about that.

He was speaking as Nevada Assemblyman William Horne’s Assembly Bill 258 is up for consideration by the state legislature. The bill would allow online gaming to be licensed and regulated by the Nevada Gaming Association and is regarded as the most poker-friendly bill to be proposed in the U.S. 

Although supported by the giant online poker site PokerStars, it is opposed by another gambling behemoth – Caesars Entertainment. When Caesars declared its opposition, hopes for the bill’s survival began to fade and most observers assumed that other bricks-and-mortar casinos would simply follow suit. Until, that is, Mr. Gaughan spoke out and he’s made it pretty clear exactly why he supports the bill. AB 258 would, he said, “make us a pioneer in the nationwide movement.” By passing the bill into law, Nevada would become a leader the rest of the country may wish to emulate.

Financially, legalization makes a lot of good sense especially given that Nevada’s finances are the stuff of nightmares and nervous breakdowns.  There is a yawning $1 billion-plus deficit to be made good and unemployment in the state currently runs at 13.5 per cent. In one move, the legalization of online poker would generate an additional $500 million for the state budget and bring many desperately needed new job opportunities in its wake.

So far, bills that have been discussed at either state or federal level have contained wording that many poker enthusiasts find unnecessarily frustrating, desperate though they are to legitimize their game. Senator Harry Reid’s bill, which fell after the mid-term elections last year, included a punitive 15-month blackout period, during which no one living on American home soil could play online. Congress is currently considering a licensing bill proposed by Representative John Campbell, but it contains wording to imply that current operators are guilty of illegal gambling activity. These inclusions appear to be aimed at appeasing opponents but would have serious consequences should they succeed in becoming law.

By contrast, Nevada’s AB 258 specifically states that it will not discriminate against existing operators (possibly one major reason why PokerStars is supporting it so fulsomely). The measure would also allow the Nevada Gaming Association to enter into agreements with other jurisdictions, such as foreign countries, where online gaming is not illegal. Additionally the Nevada Bill makes provision that should other states pass bills legalizing online poker, they would be included too. Such a development would place Nevada, as Mr. Gaughan envisages, at the very heart of the online gaming industry in addition to its central place in the bricks-and-mortar casino business.

Commenting on PokerStars’ and Full Tilt Poker’s inclusion in the Nevada system under the bill, Gaughan said that he didn’t mind at all stating that no one group of people should be eliminated. Gaughan considers the bill a good move for the state, and believes it will benefit smaller casinos there. Caesars has got some opposition to its “Federal only” approach at last, it seems.

Wed, 03/23/2011 – 22:36 – PokerPages Staff

South Point Hotel and Casino owner Michael Gaughan has backed the bill which could regulate and license online poker in Nevada.

Gaughan, who becomes the first owner of a Las Vegas casino to speak out in favor of the Assembly Bill 258, believes Nevada should set an example for other states to follow.

“There is no doubt in my mind that online poker and other games are coming. AB 258 would make us a pioneer in the nationwide movement and the leader for the rest of the country to emulate.”

The bill, which has also been supported by the world’s biggest online poker site, PokerStars, was introduced by Assemblyman William Horne earlier this month.

Initial optimism surrounding the measure was dampened when Caesars Entertainment voiced their opposition.

The influential casino giant is thought to have played a significant role in New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s decision to veto a bill which would have legalized internet poker in the state.

However, Gaughan’s vocal support and other positive forms of lobbying have provided a solid platform for pro online poker legislation in Nevada.

Nevada is currently gripped by the recession with a $1 billion budget deficit and 13.5 % unemployment rate.

Gaughan believes the Assembly Bill would provide numerous economic and employment opportunities and could be worth up to $500 billion.

“I don’t know how good it will be for me, but I think it will benefit the state. That is why I am not opposing it.”