Nevada Governor pushes interstate gaming law
Brian Sandoval claims New Jersey's imminent egaming regulation means "the need to act quickly has become even more important".
Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval has urged state lawmakers to expedite the passage of a law allowing its licensed egaming operators to accept wagers from other states, claiming last week’s progress in New Jersey has made the change a necessity.chrii
His message came just 24 hours after New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said he would approve online gambling should certain amendments be made, making it likely to become the third state to take the step.
Under Nevada’s current online gambling regulations there is no provision to allow the Silver State to enter into compacts with other states, something included in both New Jersey’s and Delaware’s laws.
Last month Sandoval called upon the legislature to approve the law permitting interstate betting within 30 days of it being introduced, arguing that with no sign of federal internet poker legislation being introduced in the near future, Nevada should take matters in its own hands.
Recognising the need to stay ahead of New Jersey if and when interstate compacts begin to form, Sandoval said on Friday: “Yesterday, I met with Assemblyman William Horne regarding online gaming legislation. I am pleased that the Assemblyman has offered to carry legislation allowing for the establishment of online gaming in our state and help Nevada maintain its position as the gold standard in gaming.
“In light of the developments in New Jersey yesterday, the need to act quickly has become even more important, a fact that both I and Assemblyman Horne agree on. This bill is critical and Assemblyman Horne and I believe that this should get done within 30 days.”
The change to Nevada’s interactive gaming bill, submitted by the state’s Gaming Control Board in January, proposes that any operator looking to take wagers in more than one state must hold an egaming licence in the relevant territories.