Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2011 | 2:57 p.m.
Mobile gambling in hotel-casinos guest rooms is a step closer to gaining final approval from state regulators.
The Gaming Control Board held a workshop Wednesday on regulations for the law passed by the 2011 Legislature to permit electronic gaming in most areas within hotel-casinos that have at least 100 slot machines and at least one table game.
The mobile devices won't be permitted in children's arcades. And there may be limitations on where they can be placed at swimming pools, including in areas frequented by children.
Phil Flaherty of Cantor Gaming told the board: "It makes no sense to set it up in a kid's zone."
Robert Faiss, an attorney representing Cantor Gaming, said the changes are important to Nevada maintaining its worldwide leadership in gaming. He said it would bring more investment, jobs and tax revenue to Nevada.
The proposed regulations -- which will be considered by the Gaming Control Board and then sent to the Gaming Commission for final approval -- include a requirement for reasonable assurances that minors won't be able to play the units.
Faiss said the systems will permit casinos to monitor the device and ensure the player is an adult. But he said there must be some parental responsibility.
Faiss said the Control Board would have the final say on where these units can be used. But the games cannot be played outside the hotel-casino.
As envisioned by the Legislature, a player would be required to sign up for an account, present identification, fund an account and establish a private personal-identification number. A series of questions would be asked before the guest would be permitted to play. The law was passed by the Legislature without a single dissenting vote.
A survey by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority indicates that less than 7 percent of the visitors to Las Vegas bring children.
The Gaming Commission will hold a public hearing on the regulations on Sept. 22.
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