MGM receives approval for online poker license

MGM Resorts is one of many groups which has applied for an intrastate license from Nevada authorities, although, if truth be told, it would prefer online poker legislation on a federal level instead of the current state-by-state trend seen right now.

The Chief Executive Officer of MGM Resorts, Jim Murren stressed the need for individual states to work together in order to make the market more viable. “We feel strongly that if it is in fact state-by-state, the states themselves need to compact with one another to create a more viable business model,” said Murren. “Any one state going on its own presents an economic challenge, particularly in a small state like Nevada.”

However, it’s clear that online poker isn’t the priority of federal lawmakers and the chance of things moving ahead on this level in the near future are not very high. If there is any hope of anything happening, it will more likely take place in the lame duck session of congress after the elections.

Caesars Entertainment’s CE, Gary Loveman, however, wasn’t too optimistic of any progress made during the lame duck session either. “There are some very pressing issues for the country’s finances that remain in front of the Congress in the lame duck session,” he said. “Caesars has also applied for a Nevada Internet poker license. It’s possible that the online gaming question will be called in that period, but I think it’s probably less likely rather than more likely.”