Nevada moving toward letting private labs test new casino games
By Richard N. Velotta, Las Vegas Sun
In a bid to stay ahead of the rapidly increasing pace of technological advancement, the state Gaming Control Board on Wednesday conducted its first public workshop to amend regulations to allow independent laboratories to test new casino games and wagering systems for licensing in the state.
About 30 gaming industry representatives attended the first public hearing on amendments to Regulation 14, which sets rules for manufacturers, distributors and operators of inter-casino linked systems, gaming devices, new games, slot metering systems and cashless wagering systems.
Enabling independent laboratories to test games and systems will allow the state’s gaming technology experts to focus on establishing policy, certifying the labs and better understanding the technology, as well as preventing licensing approval bottlenecks that could occur with the anticipated increase in applications from Internet gambling companies.
The first round of public hearings yielded no complaints or concerns about 10 new sections of regulations listing registration and reporting requirements for prospective labs, the registration process and how regulators will determine the suitability of owners and operators of lab companies.
Currently, companies wanting to introduce a new game or system would go directly to the state, which has maintained its own gaming lab for years.
Under the system that would be established once the new regulation takes effect, the state would certify and license labs that would conduct the testing and forward certification documents to the state, which would still have final approval over whether a game is acceptable or not.
The Gaming Control Board and the Nevada Gaming Commission are expected to conduct public hearings on the new regulations in March. The commission could consider approval in March or April. A bill signed into law by the Legislature last year mandates that independent testing begin by the end of May.