There are currently no online casinos operating within the borders of the United States. Some lawmakers, lobbyists and players want to see that change. There is also opposition among other lawmakers, lobbyists, and other interest groups. Most Las Vegas casinos are fighting against online gambling being brought to the U.S., fearing that they would lose business to the online casinos.
Not everyone on the Vegas Strip feels that way, though. Harrah’s recently began a partnership with 888, a British online casino. 888 provides software for Harrah’s online casinos that are based in England and do not accept American customers. If online gambling comes to the U.S., Harrah’s is poised to become a major player in the industry right away.
With all of the bitter fighting between both sides of the issue, I found myself wondering about the position of the Nevada Gaming Control Board. The NGCB is the government regulatory body that oversees all of the gambling operations in Vegas, Reno and everything else in the state. They are a very powerful and influential government agency.
While the NGCB has not come out with an opinion on online gambling, one of the board members now has. Sort of. His position is that he doesn’t have a position.
Randall Sayre, a Nevada Gaming Control Board member, said that he isn’t opposed to online gambling, but he wouldn’t push for it, either. He told UK gambling publication GamblingCompliance “I’ve got nothing against Internet gambling. I have no dog in the fight with regards to whether it’s good or bad.”
While that’s not a ringing endorsement of bringing the online casino industry to the U.S., it’s good that he isn’t against it, because, believe me, if the NGCB was against it, the chances of online casinos ever coming to the States would be drastically reduced.
Sayre also said that if online casinos are to be brought to the U.S., the NGCB would be the most logical place to start in terms of regulating the industry. He said that they are “well positioned” to take on the extra responsibility should the change be called for.
