Nevada Gaming Regulators Explore Updates to Private Gaming Salon Rules

The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) is considering changing private gaming salon regulations. This marks the first potential overhaul to the sector’s laws in 23 years.

As proposed by industry representatives, adjustments would be made to increase accessibility by opening the salons to the public when not in private use. Also, poker can be offered during private operations. These changes are aimed at attracting more visitors and boosting state revenue generation.

Decade-Old Financial Limitations

The NGCB held a Thursday afternoon hearing, taking testimony of the areas that require changes. Industry representatives argued that the $300,000 financial commitment as a deposit or line of credit is outdated and restricts potential visitors unnecessarily.

Nevada Resort Association CEO Virginia Valentine underscored the importance of financial flexibility, especially for smaller properties outside Las Vegas. She noted, “The $300,000 limit is a barrier for some properties in Northern Nevada,” adding that lowering the figure would draw in a broader clientele.

Wynn Resorts general counsel Ellen Whittemore backed Valentine, recommending the reduction of the financial requirement. She also proposed that private salons should be allowed to operate publicly when they aren’t reserved, stating, “Licensees should be able to convert their private gaming salons to public gaming salons irrespective of the location.”

Poker Regulations

Whittemore also proposed permitting poker when the salons are operating privately. While current Nevada regulations do not explicitly ban the indulgence, it is unclear whether it is considered a table game. She argued that this priority emerged from the rising demand for high-stakes poker, which would increase spending on other facilities like dining, retail, and accommodation.

Also, industry representatives advocated for the extension of time players can be in the salon without the patron present. The alteration would extend the current six-hour gaming limit to 24 hours. Whittemore explained that allowing salon access even in the patron’s absence would be profitable.

Positive Industry Response

NGCB board member Brittnie Watkins applauded the industry representative’s contributions in helping reshape the sector by requesting improvements. The Board’s Chair, Kirk Hendrick, also chimed in, acknowledging that alterations will likely be enforced through a regulation overhaul rather than legislative changes. He addressed the importance of industry feedback to propose changes that make gaming salons more accessible.

Hendrick also noted that additional security and surveillance would be necessary: “If you are playing a higher level of gaming in Nevada, you want to be sure if you are moving cash around through a marker and someone sees you are playing a high level of money, we want to be sure we protect our customers in the state of Nevada and that they feel secure when they come here.”