Saturday, May 22, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Regulators discuss remote betting's future in Nevada

Nevada gambling regulators and industry executives are discussing rule changes that would allow a person to make a sports bet using a wireless device while sitting by a casino swimming pool or at a kiosk inside their local bar.

Members of the Nevada Gaming Control Board and Nevada Gaming Commission didn't take any action Friday at special joint meeting held to gather opinions on a policy shift that would allow intrastate remote gambling.

"It's an issue that's becoming more and more important," commission Chairman Peter Bernhard said after the 90-minute hearing.

Bernhard said potential changes in the policy are "controversial and exciting," but remote gambling still needs to be defined legally and technologically.

The decision on whether to enable remote gambling in Nevada has gained momentum because of technological advances that provide for more secure betting outside of a sports and race book or other traditional casino venues.

Proponents say the state may need remote gambling to stay competitive with Indian casinos and Internet betting.

Others are concerned that the spread of sports betting or other traditional casino games to businesses with restricted gambling licenses, such as a bar or supermarket, could raise gambling addiction levels in Nevada.

Companies that run casinos, which have nonrestricted gambling licenses, also don't want to see their properties lose money by having gamblers make sports bets or play keno at bars and supermarkets.

Barry Lieberman, general counsel for Coast Casinos, said his company isn't in favor of allowing remote gambling in places with restricted gambling licenses.

After the meeting, he explained that his company and others had made significant investments in their properties and hired large work forces to qualify for nonrestricted gambling licenses.

Lieberman said Coast Casinos hasn't adopted a position on making a sports bet at a kiosk or using a wireless device inside a casino.

Scott Nielson, executive vice president and chief legal officer at Station Casinos, said his company has not decided its stance.

The exploration of remote gambling was a "great opportunity to study the issues," Nielson said afterward.

Any statutory changes permitting remote gambling could be presented to the Legislature in the 2005 session, Bernhard said.