South Point Poker gets Approval from Nevada

First online poker operator licence approved by Nevada Gaming Commission

Michael Gaughan’s South Point Casino online poker venture, South Point Poker LLC, was approved Thursday for the issue of the first actual operator licence under Nevada’s intrastate online poker legislation.

South Point has been smart in developing its own software and moving ahead with the required technological testing whilst its application went through the Nevada approval system.

It is therefore believed to have a head start on other applicants and could well be the first operator to start real-money poker in the Silver State…perhaps as early as October this year.

The company has built up experience through offering free-to-play poker in partnership with Zen Poker as it developed its own software. South Point has also boasted that it has developed its own advanced geolocation solution - an important element for Nevada regulators.

South Point came to the Nevada Gaming Commission hearing Thursday with the recommendation of the Nevada Gaming Control Commission, which had earlier this year conducted a preliminary hearing on the application.

Company representatives provided information on player verification, anti-problem gambling precautions and self-exclusion facilities to the satisfaction of the five Commissioners, and assured them that the enterprise was well prepared for a major influx of players once operations commenced.

The only hurdle now remaining is the completion of independent technology testing and a possible final review suggested earlier this month by Gaming Control chairman Mark Lipparelli before going into action (see previous InfoPowa reports).