The Nevada Gaming Commission met Thursday in Las Vegas.
The issue: Final approval of the Ultimate Poker Interactive Gaming System was recommended to the commission.
The vote: 5-0
What it means: In what was hailed as a historic event, Station Casinos subsidiary Ultimate Gaming won final approval for its intrastate Internet poker system. Ultimate Gaming Chief Technology Officer Chris Derossi reported that during its 90-day trial operation, there were few glitches or problems and that the company responded quickly to player comments. He said the system worked well during peak operational periods. Derossi said the system’s geolocation and player identification technology worked well and regulators suggested software upgrades to better detect collusion.
Derossi said 9.1 million hands have been dealt and more than 700,000 pages of reports were forwarded to regulators during the trial period.
Derossi said one recurring problem involved a 1.5-kilometer “buffer zone” near state borders that prohibited some players within Nevada’s boundaries from being able to play.
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The issue: Approval of the formation of a holding company by Caesars Entertainment for its Internet poker operation.
The vote: 5-0
What it means: Caesars will spin off its online operation as well as its Las Vegas Planet Hollywood property and the proposed Casino Baltimore into the new company, which plans to raise $1.2 billion in a public stock offering. The complex formation of the new company also requires regulatory approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission. The plan won't affect existing creditors.
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The issue: Penn National Gaming requested spinning off its holdings into a real estate investment trust.
The vote: 5-0
What it means: The move is primarily to help the Wyomissing, Pa.-based company apply for a gaming license in Maryland, but local regulators had to review the request because Penn National operates the M Resort in Henderson.