Nevada Regulators Consider Gaming Salon Changes to Attract Visitors

High-end gaming salons across Nevada may undergo changes, pushed by the industry in an effort to generate extra revenue and increase visitation. That would be the case considering that the state’s gambling regulators approve changes to the existing regulations for gambling salons.

NGCB Discusses Changes to VIP Gaming Salons

The topic was brought up during a recent discussion between the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) and the industry on Thursday, as announced by CDC Gaming. The existing rules governing high-end gaming salons date back to more than two decades ago, from 2001.

Under the existing rules, visitors to VIP gaming salons in Nevada need to be able to deposit at least $300,000, have $300,000 line of credit or be able to reach $300,000 via combination of deposit and credit. However, those restrictions were introduced more than 20 years ago, which is why the industry is encouraging the regulator to consider significantly lowering the aforementioned limits.

In addition, the gambling sector encourages Nevada regulators to consider changes to the overall access of gaming salons. Those changes would seek to make them accessible to the public when they are not used for private events. Ultimately, this seeks to help with customer engagement and loyalty at the same time, enabling casinos to better cater to wealthy individuals, while Nevada is expected to benefit from extra tax revenue.

Security Is Imperative for High-Roller Salons

Kirk Hendrick, NGCB’s chair, acknowledged that changes are unlikely to require a legislative approach but may be enforced through an overhaul of the regulations. He spoke about the importance of feedback from the sector, including stakeholders who may propose changes to the existing regulatory framework that can ease access to gaming salons.

In the words of Hendrick: “It has to be easy to find, and signage has to point them in the right direction and is easy to get to. We should take a chance after 20 years to be sure that our enforcement ability is as available as possible.”

According to Hendrick, the changes require not only a tweak in the regulations but additional security and surveillance. “If you are playing a higher level of gaming in Nevada, you want to be sure if you are moving cash around through a marker and someone sees you are playing a high level of money, we want to be sure we protect our customers in the state of Nevada and that they feel secure when they come here,” he explained.

Brittnie Watkins, a board member at the NGCB praised the gambling industry’s “creativity” that helps reshape the vertical by introducing changes and improvements. “You all are brilliant and creative,” she added.

Despite the debate, a proposal is yet to be introduced by the gambling sector. Once introduced, proposed changes would seek approval from the NGCB, as well as the Nevada Gaming Commission. It is likely that this process will pick up speed next year.