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May 21, 2001
CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - A Senate panel voted Monday for a bill allowing Internet gambling in Nevada as long as regulators determine it's secure and legal.
Under AB578, hotel-casinos with unrestricted licenses seeking an interactive gambling license would pay a $500,000 application fee. They'd also pay a 6.25 percent tax on gross revenue.
"We need to have things in place if the federal government says it's legal," said Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas. "It's a considerable source of revenue for the state."
State Gaming Control Board Chairman Dennis Neilander assured the Senate Judiciary Committee that regulators will move cautiously and ensure that Nevada is in compliance with federal law.
Assemblywoman Merle Berman, R-Las Vegas, had proposed AB296, the initial bill authorizing Internet gambling. That plan was rolled into AB578.
"I admire the foresight of Assemblywoman Berman in bringing this legislation forward," said Senate Judiciary Chairman Mark James, R-Las Vegas. "Hopefully, we're doing the right thing."
The bill passed with a few technical amendments and some more substantial ones, including one sought by the Association of Gaming Manufacturers that cuts fees paid by Internet gambling software and equipment firms from $250,000 to $125,000.
Another amendment allows smaller establishments to get in on Internet gambling. Instead of having 135 slots and 500 rooms, a resort with at least 50 slots and 50 rooms could apply for Internet gambling licensing.
"This way, a lot of different establishments in Nevada will be able to get into it," said Sen. Mike McGinness, R-Fallon.
"Folks in rural Nevada are just as entrepreneurial as others and it's not like we're giving them something without strings attached."
Sen. Terry Care, D-Las Vegas, opposed the bill.
"Unfortunately we have only 120 days and can't do this subject justice," he said. "My preference is to allow authorities to make regulations and during the next legislative session we can look at policy."
The panel also passed AB466, sponsored by Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, calling for a statewide gambling work card system. Leslie said the bill creates a system that treats everyone fairly.
CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - A Senate panel voted Monday for a bill allowing Internet gambling in Nevada as long as regulators determine it's secure and legal.
Under AB578, hotel-casinos with unrestricted licenses seeking an interactive gambling license would pay a $500,000 application fee. They'd also pay a 6.25 percent tax on gross revenue.
"We need to have things in place if the federal government says it's legal," said Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas. "It's a considerable source of revenue for the state."
State Gaming Control Board Chairman Dennis Neilander assured the Senate Judiciary Committee that regulators will move cautiously and ensure that Nevada is in compliance with federal law.
Assemblywoman Merle Berman, R-Las Vegas, had proposed AB296, the initial bill authorizing Internet gambling. That plan was rolled into AB578.
"I admire the foresight of Assemblywoman Berman in bringing this legislation forward," said Senate Judiciary Chairman Mark James, R-Las Vegas. "Hopefully, we're doing the right thing."
The bill passed with a few technical amendments and some more substantial ones, including one sought by the Association of Gaming Manufacturers that cuts fees paid by Internet gambling software and equipment firms from $250,000 to $125,000.
Another amendment allows smaller establishments to get in on Internet gambling. Instead of having 135 slots and 500 rooms, a resort with at least 50 slots and 50 rooms could apply for Internet gambling licensing.
"This way, a lot of different establishments in Nevada will be able to get into it," said Sen. Mike McGinness, R-Fallon.
"Folks in rural Nevada are just as entrepreneurial as others and it's not like we're giving them something without strings attached."
Sen. Terry Care, D-Las Vegas, opposed the bill.
"Unfortunately we have only 120 days and can't do this subject justice," he said. "My preference is to allow authorities to make regulations and during the next legislative session we can look at policy."
The panel also passed AB466, sponsored by Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, calling for a statewide gambling work card system. Leslie said the bill creates a system that treats everyone fairly.
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