NCLGS Meet in Vegas to Assess Challenges and Opportunities

It is that time of the year again. The National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) hosts its winter meeting from January 6-8 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas to discuss the latest – as well as a few of the usual – challenges facing lawmakers who regulate internet gambling in the United States.

Bringing together some 100 legislators, regulators, lawyers, tribal representatives and other stakeholders, this year’s sessions demonstrated that regardless of Harry Reid’s legislative efforts fizzling out, enthusiasm for online gambling still runs high in several states. Indeed, this development was perceived in a positive light by NCLGS members, seeing a federal solution to online gambling as an infringement on states’ rights.

The states also had had an issue with the proposal because, while offering to legalize online poker sites in the United States, it would have outlawed many other popular forms of online gambling.

Reflecting on the enthusiasm, expert panelists at the event recommended that legislators stay up-to-date and informed about technological and regulatory development. Urging caution, participants were warned that newly created state-level regulatory authorities may take over a year before operating with full effect, as the processes involved are rather complex.

Most speakers also believed that states would be more effective than the federal government in keeping up with the continuous changes in online gambling technology, as long as the relevant expertise was relied upon. No doubt some of the panelists can expect to be asked for paid advice on those matters, later on.