Nevada Gaming Commission To Introduce and Oversee Self-Exclusion List for Online Games

Players on the new list will be blocked from access interactive games operated on the internet.
By
July 12, 2021

The Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) is on the verge to take another vital step towards combating problem gambling. Amendments to the operation of interactive gaming include a new proposed statewide self-exclusion list to be overseen by the state authorities.

So far, problem gamblers are only able to self-exclude from individual brick-and-mortar casinos and have to repeat the procedure for each venue. The new proposal foresees the establishment of a state-wide list of individuals who wish to opt-out from access to interactive online gaming. This would only concern online poker right now, as online casino games are not allowed yet according to state regulation.

The specific amendment is not set in stone yet as it hasn’t been signed off by the authorities, which has been confirmed by the NGC upon request for further information. However, it seems very likely that this vital step will be taken in the near future.

On May 13, 2021, the Nevada Gaming Control Board was supposed to hold a workshop to discuss allowing state casinos to launch online versions of their gaming product. So far, only online poker is legal in the state but requires an in-person registration at brick-and-mortar venues to hinder the growth. Unfortunately, the workshop was postponed until further notice and a new date has not been set yet according to an NGC spokesperson.

As part of the agenda was a proposed change to Regulation 5A including several paragraphs with regards to the creation and management of a self-exclusion list to be overseen by the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

“The Board shall establish and maintain a state-wide list of individuals who have self-excluded from participating in interactive gaming and the date each individual self-excluded. The Board shall update the state-wide list of individuals who have self-excluded each day and provide operators with access to the list,” the first paragraph in section 5A.130 of the new proposed law text shows.

Another three new paragraphs are proposed to be added as well. Operators shall provide an online self-exclusion form that problem gamblers can take advantage of and which has to be submitted to the board immediately after completion. Likewise, another form to form to revert the decision shall become available no fewer than 30 days after the successful self-exclusion.

The operators are also expected to access the state-wide list and update their own registers on a regular basis. Any self-exclusion under this new list however only applies to the online gaming platforms and doesn’t prohibit the patron from entering a land-based casino.

Since Nevada currently limits online gaming to poker but this latest development leaves the door open to other forms of iGaming. This doesn’t come as a surprise, since the entire online gambling industry has seen substantial growth in all regulated markets. It is anticipated by the operators that state authorities are considering to expand Nevada’s iGaming offer in the near future.

The board also suggests to establish a Commision Seal in order to identify a license to operate interactive gaming. It is supposed to be displayed on the operator’s website, which has already been common practice in other regulated online poker markets in the US.

Likewise, state-wide self-exclusion lists for live and online gambling activities have been the norm in other states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Nevada is aiming to take the first step towards that cornerstone in the fight against gambling addiction as well. The proposed amendment shows that the regulators take the issue serious and want to further expand the existing ways to helo problem gamblers.

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