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Private poker games were among the topics discussed during a recent Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) regulatory workshop. These poker games could be part of the first changes to Nevada gaming salon regulations in more than 20 years.
The NGCB members sounded open to all ideas presented during the discussion including representatives from three Las Vegas casino operators. Ellen Whittemore, executive vice president and general counsel at Wynn Resorts offered four ideas to change Nevada gaming salon regulations for the first time in many years.
In addition to opening the private rooms to poker games, the Dec. 5 NGCB public workshop touched on a few other topics for the gaming regulators:
- Open private salons to the public when they are not in use.
- Reconsider the current $300,000 credit limit currently in place for gaming salons.
- Allow casinos to set minimum wagers for slot machines in gaming salons.
The goal is to open these gaming salons to more guests who can afford to play in these private spaces. Nevada casinos could make the rooms available to different players, such as celebrities, and new money, such as tech millionaires.
MGM Resorts and Hard Rock International representatives were on hand and supported all of Whittemore’s recommendations. Nothing was decided but the ball is rolling and changes could come as soon as next year.
Is poker a card game, table game, or both?
Poker is currently not on the list of casino games that can be played in a private gaming salon. It doesn’t fall under the “table game” category in Nevada.
While poker is currently categorized as a “card game”, NGCB regulators could simply change regulations and allow it to be played in high-limits gaming salons.
If new regulations ensue, regulators will have to deal with the tax ramifications related to being considered a card game or table game. Regulators will explore this before moving forward.
An aggressive casino operator could argue that the current regulations don’t prohibit gaming salons from hosting poker games since the language is unclear. However, Nevada casino operators wouldn’t risk their gaming licenses to host private poker games.
Private high-stakes poker games in Nevada
During the meeting, Judge George Assad (retired) of the NGCB noted that he’s in favor of the changes and said poker should be allowed without a problem since there are currently no regulations that don’t allow it.
There’s currently a six-hour time limit on private gaming salons. This would have to change since poker games could take longer.
Poker players don’t often play using a line of credit. The $300,000 credit limit would also have to be updated. This change could impact all players casino operators are targeting with the new regulations.
Charlie Stone, executive vice president of casino operations and marketing at Wynn, said that one gaming trend in recent years is the demand for high-limit poker games. Wynn would like to host these games in the future.
Casinos from Lake Tahoe to Las Vegas could lure high-stakes poker games from California to help promote the casinos. While poker isn’t a big gaming revenue generator, the high-stakes players might spend money eating, drinking, shopping, and enjoying entertainment.
Nevada’s regulations for high-limit poker games are currently steps behind other states and countries. Assad noted that players can “go to New Jersey, Monte Carlo, Macau, and Dubai and find a private salon to satisfy their desire to gamble in privacy and security.”
Who will host private high-limit poker games In Nevada?
Two of the three casino operators in attendance at the workshop, Wynn and MGM Resorts, have numerous Las Vegas casinos with gaming salons. Hard Rock is currently building a new casino that should open where The Mirage now stands in 2027.
Whittemore stated that Wynn Las Vegas currently has 19 gaming salons among its two towers. MGM Resorts has 31 gaming salons at four casinos including:
- Aria
- Bellagio
- The Cosmopolitan
- MGM Grand
Joe Lupo, President of Hard Rock Las Vegas, said the property plans to have at least one private gaming salon on the 36th floor of the Guitar Hotel tower. This space will overlook the Vegas Strip.
According to initial plans in 2022, Hard Rock Las Vegas will have more private gaming salons in the west area of the property.
While representatives weren’t on hand for the meeting, it would not be surprising to see The Venetian or Resorts World Las Vegas host high-stakes private poker games. Both cater to high-end players, and the latter already has a gaming salon on the 66th floor.
Additionally, casinos in Reno and Lake Tahoe could host private poker games for tech executives that currently take place in Northern California.
