Nevada gaming officials discuss regulatory overhaul, per governor’s mandate

April 12, 2023 8:55 PM
Photo: Shutterstock
  • Buck Wargo, CDC Gaming Reports
April 12, 2023 8:55 PM

The Nevada Gaming Control Board met Wednesday to propose regulatory changes that officials say are outdated or reduce burdens on operators, without harming state oversight.

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The workshop was part of a statewide directive from Gov. Joe Lombardo to review all existing regulations and propose the removal of at least 10.

“What we have in front of us is Governor Lombardo’s executive order, which I’m quite proud to be involved with,” Gaming Control Board Chairman Kirk Hendrick said as he kicked off the two-hour workshop. “Along with many people in the room and those watching on television, I was involved in drafting these statutes and regulations over the years. It’s always time to go through them and see if we can make them a little better, a little less burdensome, and of course more workable for the industry, while still maintaining effective regulation that this state desires and deserves.”

Each division within the Gaming Control Board was tasked with finding regulations that could be improved or removed and would have the most beneficial impact on licensees and the state.

As an example, one would increase the threshold amount from $1,200 to $5,000 at which licensees are exempt from recording a progressive log on a recurring basis. All licensees would be able to record the progressive amount at least every seven days, so long as they have a Gaming Control Board approved online slot-metering system. The rule is expected to alleviate what’s called “unnecessary administrative burdens on the casino operators” by allowing them to use less time and staffing to record the progressive amounts on a daily basis.

The proposed changes will be presented to the Nevada Gaming Commission later this month. There was no opposition raised by board members or industry representatives who attended the meeting.

The recommendations made for improving regulations as read by Board member Brittnie Watkins dealt with such subjects as schedules, hosting-center registration, audited financial statements, internal controls for Group 1 licensees, rates and billing user reports, accounting for transactions, and taxes.

When making suggestions for removal of regulations, Watkins read off recommendations from most to least important to comply with the directive.

Board member George Assad said the biggest priority should be removal of technology regulations. “I think that’s where we should focus more of our attention. Next in importance would be the enforcement and audit divisions.”

Hendrick said the one regulation that stuck out for him was a $250,000 cap on keno games. While it doesn’t sound as if the industry has been saying it wants to offer $250,000 keno, he said that “jumped out to me” and needs to be updated and correlated with the other progressive machines.

Hendrick said Lombardo asked the board to focus on technology and whether it can speed up the licensing process for the industry.

That was a major focus for the industry when the Board held a workshop last month on shortening the approval process for products and technology.

Regulations recommended for removal dealt with employee reports, operation of a system-based gaming device, installation of a system-based or system-supported game, approval of promotional-device application and procedures, registration and distribution of gaming devices, duplication of program-storage media; licensing and operation of a gaming salon, operation of keno games, international controls for Group 1 licensees, wagering accounts, surveillance standards for non-restricted licensees, operation of an inter-casino linked system, and mandatory disclosure for credit applications and credit-instrument signature requirements.