Nevada Sets Stage for Online Poker

Nevada is positioning itself to become the first state to allow Internet-poker games within its borders, a move that comes as online-gambling laws are being debated in statehouses and in Congress.

The state's gambling regulator will vote Dec 22 on rules that would allow companies to apply for licenses to operate poker websites in Nevada. The new rules were designed to put the state in a position to move quickly to become the center of a lucrative new part of the gambling industry should Congress pass one of several laws overturning the ban on Internet wagering, making the state the de-facto national licensing body. In the meantime, Nevada's new regulations could allow the state's casino companies to operate gambling websites limited to players within Nevada's borders, said Mark Lipparelli, chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, the body that drew up the rules, which are set to be voted on by the Nevada Gaming Commission. Lipparelli said websites limited to Nevada's borders could be up and running before the end of next year if the gaming commission votes to allow them. Lipparelli said technology is available to allow companies to limit the bets to people within state borders but that the systems would have to be vetted by regulators and state attorneys to ensure they comply with rules.