1st Online Poker License Issued in Nevada

South Point Poker, the online poker site from Las Vegas-based South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa, has been granted an intrastate operating license from Nevada’s State Gaming Commission. The site currently offers free-play poker but hopes to have real-money betting options available by October if its technology passes the rigorous testing involved. The Commission also granted a license to Reno-based Monarch Casino & Resort but it has not announced which already approved software supplier they will choose.

Other huge Las Vegas casinos have also applied for online poker licenses and most have partnered with the biggest internet casino software providers. MGM has announced it will partner with bwin.party’s Party Poker and Boyd Gaming is also considering working with bwin.party. Casino giant Caesars has chosen to go with software from 888. Wynn had planned to partner with PokerStars but that fell through after the infamous Black Friday disaster.

The issuing of these licenses places Nevada ahead of other states when it comes to starting to regulate internet gambling and both the American Gaming Association, a casino lobby group, and Nevada State Governor Brian Sandoval are excited about the potential for the industry.

However, there are some potential problems that can come from Nevada’s intrastate gambling that would not occur if Congress were able to pass federal legislation. First off, only being able to offer internet gambling to those in the state, either citizens or tourists, amounts to a limited group of players that may not be able to sustain the marker. Additionally, and especially a concern for Nevada, is the fact that the state relies on revenues from Las Vegas casinos and if other states opt to legalize internet casino gambling, Nevada could be in real trouble.