Nevada Bill Would Allow Mobile Gaming in Hotel Rooms

Tourists in Las Vegas barely have to leave their hotel rooms to find gambling options available to them everywhere. If a new bill is passed in Nevada, they may not even have to go that far.

The Senate Judiciary Committee gave unanimous approval to Assembly Bill 294, a bill that would lift the current prohibition against mobile gambling devices being used in hotel rooms. Currently, some Vegas casinos already use mobile gambling devices to allow patrons to have some wagering options available to them on the go. However, they are currently limited to being used on casino floors, which means most gamblers have no need for them.

While some have questioned whether allowing these devices in hotel rooms would lead to more problem gambling, legislators have taken steps to ensure that these concerns would be addressed.

"What we are expanding to is to allow in the room, with substantial safeguards," State Senator Valerie Wiener told the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

At one point, the current bill had been watered down, eliminating the option for mobile gambling devices to be used in hotel rooms. However, supporters managed to put that provision back in by pointing out that the devices are planned to have several important safeguards, including identity verification systems. In addition, the Nevada Gaming Commission would have the final authority in approving any device before it could be used in the state’s casino resorts.

According to supporters, allowing some gambling in hotel rooms would add a significant boost to the state’s gambling revenues. According to testimony, tax revenues could increase by up to $18 million once the devices were approved.

The bill will next be voted on by the entire Senate.