Sandoval supports push to legalize online poker

Gov.-elect Brian Sandoval has thrown his support behind federal efforts to legalize online poker, according to a senior adviser.

Dale Erquiaga said Thursday Sandoval supported a bill by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., to legalize poker and believes state gaming regulators are the logical pick to oversee regulations.

"He is not familiar with the updated draft bill that has been circulating in the last week," Erquiaga said. "But he supports the concept and the role Nevada would play if online poker was legalized."

He said there have been "no discussions of doing it on the state level" if Reid's bill were to fail before the end of the current congressional session on Dec. 17.

Legalized online gambling in the United States is expected to create 32,000 jobs and $57.5 billion in tax revenue over five years, according to figures compiled by, Manchester, England--based H2 Gambling Capital.

Contact reporter Chris Sieroty at csieroty@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893.