The state of Nevada and Delaware will soon be sharing online poker player pools as the two begin to start interstate poker. The governors of both states agreed to work together last year as part of the Multi State Internet Gaming Act. Only Nevada and Delaware are part of the agreement but left the compact open so other states could join in as legislation in put in place in individual states. Now a new bill has surfaced in the state of Nevada and will limit gaming compacts with other states to just poker.
The new bill would limit the partnerships that the state of Nevada makes with other areas to be just online poker and no other games. Nevada and Delaware are already in the process of making interstate gaming a reality and this would limit the types of games players from other states would be able to participate in, especially when you consider that other states would be able to offer additional gaming while Nevada would not.
In the state of Nevada there are two online poker sites, while Delaware has three offerings. The operator of the software for each gaming site is provided by 888 Holdings. The bill is reportedly been backed by Sheldon Adelson as a way to harm the growing industry, according to a report at Card Player. Basically multi state poker gaming could lead to overall nationwide gaming as other states begin to legalize the option.
The bill reads, in part:
If the bill is passed, Nevada would be at a disadvantage. While other states would be able to share player pools for a number of gaming options, the state would be limited to poker. This means that while other states can profit on larger player pools, Nevada would be left in the dust. Nevada is currently the number 2 spot when it comes to online gambling, including poker, but what happens if the bill is passed?
Both California and Pennsylvania are states that are currently looking to begin offering some form of online gambling, be it poker or casino gaming. If these states enter the industry and then begin sharing player pools, Nevada would not be able to benefit except in the realm of poker. This certainly would put Nevada at a disadvantage they do not want to be in. One would think that the legislation will not move forward, but only time will tell if legislators will pass the measure.
It seems as though when the gambling industry takes a step forward something happens to push the industry two steps back, never quite able to get ahead. If Sheldon Adelson is behind the new legislation, it marks just one more time the businessman has tried to put a stop to online gambling. In a way, it seems odd the Adelson is so against online gambling, including poker gaming.
Adelson is head of the Las Vegas Sands, a top gaming giant of Nevada. Operating casino gaming, the Sands could become involved with the industry and make a nice profit. Adelson seems to be showing his age and just being an ornery old man when it comes to online gambling legislation.