First Online Poker Operator License Granted in Nevada »

Real-money online poker could be coming to Nevada as early as October after the State Gaming Commission granted South Point Poker the first intrastate online poker operator license on August 23.

While the Commission is still in the process of testing and inspecting South Point’s gaming technologies, the company hopes to be operational by this October. Reno-based Monarch Casino & Resort’s online initiative, Monarch Interactive, also received an operator’s license. However, Monarch doesn’t have its own proprietary gaming technology and has not declared a software affiliate yet.

There have been several other U.S. gaming and casino firms that have applied for operator licenses thus far. That includes Caesars Entertainment which will partner with 888; MGM, who will work with Party Poker; Fertitta Interactive, which acquired CyberArts last year; Boyd Gaming, which are likely to use bwin.party; and Wynn, who have not yet revealed a software partner.

While Nevada’s player pool size is not large enough to generate enough business in online poker for numerous operators, being one of the first states to become licensed (along with New Jersey), puts Nevada in the driver’s seat to become one of the leading regulators in the iGaming market.

At a Nevada Gaming Policy meeting back in June, Silver State governor Brian Sandoval stated that Nevada could become the US online gambling “nerve center” one day.