by Mario Alfonsi | Published on Jun 5, 2012 | Updated on Jun 5, 2012Many states have attempted to bring regulated online poker to the United States, but so far, only Nevada has actually succeeded in passing legislation that would set up a regulatory framework for the game. With the Nevada Gaming Control Board having set regulations and interested companies lining up, anxious poker players were waiting for the day when licenses would be awarded and online poker sites could begin operating in the state.That day is now one step closed. The Nevada Gaming Control Board released their agenda for their upcoming meetings this week, and they include consideration of two different online gambling licenses. During the board’s meetings on June 6 and 7, the license applications of International Game Technology and Bally Technologies, Inc. will be considered. Should the Gaming Control Board give them the rubber stamp, they’ll move along to the Gaming Commission for final approval.Neither Bally nor IGT would be able to run an online poker site in Nevada on their own, despite their considerable resources. That’s because the regulations in Nevada require that they partner with a brick-and-mortar casino in order to have an active site in the state’s marketplace. IGT is actively looking for a casino partner, and Bally is likely doing the same behind the scenes.IGT in particular has been making moves for a while that have shown the company’s strong interest in being a part of the online poker world. Just last year, IGT purchased Entraction Holding AB for $115 million, with the biggest prize in the purchase being the Entraction Poker Network. This gave IGT ready-made software that they could immediately use in any regulated US markets.So far, a total of 25 license applications have been submitted to Nevada regulators. It is likely that IGT and Bally are having their applications considered first because they were also the first to submit their applications last October. Nevada’s regulations will initially allow only online poker, but could eventually allow casino games or other online gambling options as well.
