CARSON CITY -- Slot machine giant International Game Technology was approved Thursday by Nevada regulators to compete in an emerging market for hand-held, mobile gambling devices.
Members of the state Gaming Commission, following up on a recommendation from the state Gaming Control Board, voted unanimously to approve the Reno-based slot manufacturer for licensing as an operator of mobile gambling systems.
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IGT's move follows licensing in May of Cantor Gaming as the state's first licensed manufacturer and distributor of the wireless gadgets. Cantor led the 2005 legislative effort to allow wireless gambling in Nevada.
The commission approved IGT's new licensing after Amy Monette, director of the company's research laboratory, said market studies show many gamblers are interested in the devices.
"We feel that becoming an early player is worth the financial risk," Monette added as commissioners fiddled with prototypes of the IGT devices that will feature blackjack, poker, video slots, roulette and keno.
Regulations passed in March, based on the 2005 legislation, made Nevada the first state to allow wireless gambling in any public area of a casino, including restaurants, lounges and poolsides. Hotel rooms or other locations that can't be supervised are off-limits.
The wireless devices can be linked to a main casino server that verifies the gambler is the person who checked out one of the devices at a casino. Players could establish betting limits in advance by depositing money on account.
Technology-savvy gamblers in their 20s to mid-40s are seen as the likely market. IGT's prototypes range from a small device to a 10-by-12-inch laptop.
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ENGLISH SPEAKER MUST BE ON SITE OF SLOTS
CARSON CITY -- With assurances the move was legal, Nevada casino regulators voted Thursday to require a slot machine location to have an English-speaking employee on the premises whenever the slots are operating.
The state Gaming Commission gave final approval to a recommendation from its investigative arm, the state Gaming Control Board, in the case of a small Reno bar owned by a man who speaks limited English.
The Cantina El Jaripeo is owned by Rodolfo Martinez. Slot route operator Dynasty Games of Sparks sought approval to put five slots in the bar.
Roger Fuller of Dynasty Games said Martinez has been instructed that an English-speaking bar employee must be on the premises when the slots are available for play. Regulators said the slots could simply be powered down, rather than have Martinez close his doors until the employee arrives.
Responding to commission questions about the constitutionality of the requirement, Deputy Attorney General Mike Wilson said state law gives regulators "full and absolute power and authority" to impose such requirements.
Wilson said the requirement is reasonable because state agents who might be summoned to the bar in the event of a dispute over a slot machine jackpot or some other problem have to be able to converse with bar managers.
