ONLINE POKER SUGGESTIONS FOR NEVADA REGULATOR

December 8, 2011 : Verification delay workarounds may be possible
 
Wednesday's hearing by the Nevada Gaming Control Board on intrastate internet poker regulation was attended by a slew of representatives from interested parties like 888.com, Fertitta Entertainment and IGT, with some useful suggestions offered in order to make the draft regulations more practical without detracting from the intent.
 
At the conclusion of the proceedings the Board indicated that it would now forward the draft to the Nevada Gaming Commission for further consideration.
 
The 888 representative presented amended wording that he hoped would allow players to bet while a full check on their full age and identity was ongoing. He said that operators should do an initial verification in order to give impatient players the opportunity to start playing almost immediately, with the results of a full check, including a requirement that they provide identity documents, completed within thirty days. That raised questions regarding deposits made if the player was subsequently rejected on completion of the full check.
 
The extent of rake – currently limited to 10 percent on cash games – was also discussed, with the IGT spokesperson commenting that the regulations should additionally embrace poker tournament specific rates.
 
The problems presented by multi-accounting on different poker sites was also examined, with a Fertitta legal representative stressing the need for absolute clarity in the regulations as a precaution against collusion.
 
The consensus appears to be that the regulations have been well thought through and suitably refined after ample consultation, making the Gaming Commission's consideration more likely to lead to an early approval.