United States
United Kingdom
Summary:
- Nevada Gaming Control Board could expand wagering accounts to a series of non-casino activities.
- The list could include restaurants, various establishments in casino resorts, and retail outlets.
- The topic will be brought back to the Board for further discussion.
Wednesday’s Nevada Gaming Control Board workshop brought the topic of wagering accounts being used off-site into the spotlight.
The board’s three board members seemed interested in the idea of allowing gamblers to use their wagering accounts to make purchases at retail outlets, restaurants, and other establishments part of US casino resorts.
At the moment, wagering accounts holding patron funds are only available for gambling uses.
The discussion will be brought back for further talks at future meetings.
No Problems With Expanding the List
Senior Deputy Attorney General John Michela explained the proposal was aimed at seeing wagering accounts used for retail purchases at licensees or affiliates of licensees.
A request has also been made to use wagering accounts for funding debit purchases in partnership with banks, similar to the way debit accounts fund purchases.
Michela’s amendment draft seeks to confine the activities to the casino resort.
The official also suggested an additional study on the proposal’s state and federal legality while explaining that retail and food purchases could be joined by the purchase of spa, pool, and nightclub services.
When asked by board member Brittnie Watkins about any potential consequences for expanding the list of purchases, Michela argued there should be no problems with it, using the example of horse-race wagering accounts that were used for retail purchases together with activities related to horse-racing goods.
Changes Would Only Apply to Non-Restricted Licensee
Michela also explained the changes would exclusively apply to non-restricted establishments (casinos) since restricted licensees are not allowed to have wagering accounts.
Board member George Assad raised the question of the potential set-up creating any problem in relation to banks.
Michela replied issues may pop up provided the purchases were broadened for use outside casino establishments.
The Nevada Resort Association has not expressed a clear view on the proposal.
The Gaming Control Board’s chief of the technology division, Jim Barbee, explained they had carried talks with a few manufacturers in favor of extending wagering accounts beyond gaming activities including spas and buffets or hotel rooms.
At the moment, patrons are allowed to fund their wagering accounts via prepaid cards, which work the same way as debit cards, which enable a variety of uses.
In the past few years, debit cards have been available for use to purchase chips at table games and slot machines.
Barbee justified the proposed measure by citing the use of debit cards on these casino purchases, which, he says, mitigates the necessity for a wagering account.
Support for the Proposal
Sightline Payments’s chief legal officer Jennifer Carleton said her company was in support of the proposal, bringing the “significant fees (are) involved in the movement of money” argument into the picture.
As long as the same safeguards are in place with regard to anti-money laundering that you have with a traditional bank account, it makes sense for an operator to implement that type of a system
Koin Payments’ chief innovation officer, Maner Puyawan, also said his company was ready to support the proposal, which he called innovative.
