Update: First Internet Poker Licenses Issued by Nevada Gaming Commission

Recommendation of the Nevada Gaming Control Board opened a new chapter in e-gaming business

Bally Technologies and International Game Technology were the first two companies to receive licence approvals from the Nevada Gaming Commission on Thursday. Following the last week’s ground-breaking recommendation of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, 30 online gambling operators and providers have already applied for licensing.

Mark Lipparelli, the chairman of Nevada Gaming Control Board, once again expressed his belief that either the end of 2012 or beginning of 2013 will see online poker available in Nevada, but he could not disclose any further details about the actual commencement date of poker internet operations.

The next step for the first two licensees is examination of their technology by a state-approved autonomous testing agency, however this exercise is generally perceived as a formality in view of the comprehensive preparatory procedures conducted by these two leading companies.

According to the Bloomberg report based on the H2 Gaming consultancy data, last year’s internet gambling revenue reached $32.8 billion worldwide, with Japan, UK and Germany leading in industry performance.

Robert Melendres, IGT emerging businesses Vice President, commented on the recent developments: "This license, backed by our decade of interactive experience, will allow us to enable our casino partners with a way to provide wager-based online poker to their players.''

IGT and Bally, being the land casino equipment suppliers, openly stated that their online gambling strategy is to offer the technology and content to other licensed operators rather than compete directly with casinos themselves.

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