Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012 | 12:26 p.m.
Three more companies cleared the first step today to participate in Nevada's emerging online poker industry.
The State Gaming Control Board meeting in Las Vegas recommended licensure for MGM Resorts International as well as lesser-known companies Z4Poker LLC of Las Vegas and Cams LLC of Los Angeles.
The applications now advance to the Nevada Gaming Commission, where they'll be up for final approvals.
MGM Resorts plans to put up a play-for-fun site in the coming months, executives said today. This would be in addition to the myVegas social media site it's using in partnership with myVegas developer Playstudios.
Both MGM Resorts and Boyd Gaming are partnering for real-money poker with bwin.party digital entertainment plc, which appears to be on track to be licensed in Nevada next year. At that point, MGM Resorts and Boyd could choose to go live.
It's still unclear if Congress will OK a national poker strategy or if online poker in Nevada will be intrastate only.
Z4Poker is developing a poker system while also working on potential bingo and keno systems. Cams has systems to manage online player accounts and verify the age, location and identity of players while also preventing problems like money laundering and problem gambling.
With testing of systems still under way, applicants approved earlier this year were Boyd Gaming, Station Casinos LLC and the founding Fertitta family’s Ultimate Poker brand, the Golden Nugget with casinos in Las Vegas and Laughlin, South Point Poker, Global Cash Access Holdings and Bally Technologies.
Also approved were: SHFL entertainment (formerly Shuffle Master), American Casino and Entertainment Properties, PokerTrip Enterprises, NetEffect Networks, International Game Technology, Monarch Interactive and WMS Industries.
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