The NGC has granted two more intrastate online poker licenses, adding to the continually growing list of companies aiming to begin operations within the year. Licenses were granted to WMS Gaming Inc. and American Casino & Entertainment Properties. WMS is a technology firm and ACEP is the owner of a number of Nevada casinos.

WMS has been conducting online operations in Europe and has been careful to open up games in only those areas where online gambling is legal. According to Cardplayer.com:

“In Nevada, regulators have hammered home their desire to know that online poker licensees did their ‘due diligence’ to prevent accepting online wagers from individuals in jurisdictions where the activity isn’t explicitly OK. This standard applies to their subsidiaries and partners.”

ACEP interactive received an “operator” license, a distinction only given to brick-and-mortar institutions. ACEP owns the Stratosphere, so it qualifies. The company’s director of gaming development Alec Driscoll echoed a sentiment that I’ve been noticing from a number of brick-and-mortar companies pursuing operations in the online space: Online gambling is a “player acquisition tool” that will actually draw players to the physical casinos on the strip. I’d be interested in reading some studies later in the year to hear if this actually happens.

The online poker licenses continue to chug steadily forward in the Silver State. Expect to see more in the coming months.