Fri, 04/15/2011 – 01:02 – PokerPages Staff
Nevada’s Assembly Judiciary Committee has unanimously passed the bill which could make the Silver State the first to offer a regulated and licensed intrastate framework in the United States.
An amended version of Assembly Bill 258 introduced by William Horne was met with approval by all quarters on Tuesday.
The amended bill does not provide provisions for international play though a tax structure will be implemented if and when federal driven laws are eventually put into place.
Horne concluded that “the parties agreed that intranet poker will be able to be commenced, and the Nevada Gaming Commission will be able to license gaming for online poker, before the federal regulation happens.”
There had also been strong suggestions that Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval was in support of blanket federal legislation but Horne revealed that those views were based on the potential conflict of the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.
“I don’t believe the governor’s letter to me actually said he didn’t support the poker bill. He recognizes that we need the bill, and just has concerns about us coming in conflict with federal law.”
“Today we passed out an amended version of the bill, and I am confident that the governor will sign when it reaches his desk.”
The bill must now pass the Assembly floor before moving onto the Senate. If successful, Governor Sandoval will then have the option of signing it into law.
“The concerns of the bill’s opposition have been alleviated in the Assembly. I anticipate when we go to the Senate that everyone will go to the table in support of the bill.”
Wed, 04/13/2011 – 03:35 – PokerPages Staff
Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval has pledged his support to federal driven legislation in the United States according to reports.
Nevada became the latest state to introduce a bill which could create a fully regulated local online poker framework earlier this year.
However, Sandoval has revealed that he would favor blanket federal legislation rather than the Assembly Bill 258 measure.
Sandoval admitted that he did not ‘want the state to be in contravention of the federal law.’
The federal law in question is the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA).
Bill AB258 was introduced by Assembly Chairman William Horne last month. Horne has vowed to continue his efforts to push through the legislation despite the stance taken by Governor Sandoval.
Sandoval’s views apparently dovetail with influential lobbyists such as MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment, who supposedly support federal intervention.
However, South Point Hotel and Casino owner Michael Gaughan publicly announced his support to Nevada’s legalization of online poker and it remains to be seen whether the Silver State will offer licensed and regulated card playing in the near future.
Washington DC seemed to take the lead in creating the first regulated intrastate framework in the United States earlier this week when reports suggested the district city council had approved a budget to offer the service last year.