NGCB Wants Simplified House Rules for Sportsbooks

Last month, Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) members touched on the subject of a possible expansion of wagering account usage within the state’s non-restricted gaming venues, including casinos. 

In September, the same gambling regulator announced it would review a proposal seeking to bar banned gamblers from getting paid jackpots at venues across the state.

At the end of last week, during the latest Gaming Law Conference in Las Vegas, NGCB’s chairman, Kirk Hendrick came up with a fresh proposal: the creation of a task force that would address the complexities surrounding sportsbook house rules. 

The Need for Standardization: “We’ve Got to Do Better” 

House rules for sportsbooks are known to frequently trigger disputes with patrons over payouts. 

Accordingly, Hendrick emphasized the need to simplify and standardize these rules, pointing out that these rules have become far more complicated over time. 

In the past, house rules were clear and accessible, but today they can span over 180 pages. 

Hendrick believes that these rules should be easy to understand and readily available online, advocating for a set of common guidelines across sportsbooks in the first 100 pages with minor adjustments for properties offering different types of bets.

Hendrick emphasized the fact that house rules work as a contract between the operator and the patron, which is why they should be straightforward for bettors. 

The chairman also called it unreasonable to expect a bettor to sift through hundreds of pages to resolve a simple dispute. 

“A 180-page contract with a guy trying to get down a $2 bet? We’ve got to do better,” he said, underlining the need for a more accessible system.

Besides the proposal aimed at simplifying house rules, Hendrick also talked about the rest of the challenges the industry is currently facing, including cybersecurity, anti-money laundering measures, and the fast-paced advent of technology. 

Sports & Entertainment, Important for State Economy

Hendrick also highlighted the way sports and entertainment have become increasingly integral to Nevada’s gaming industry, noting that gaming revenue is no longer solely dependent on traditional events like the Super Bowl. 

Major performances by artists like Adele and Garth Brooks have had a direct impact on gaming revenues and, by extension, the state’s economy. 

Plus, besides the excitement of Super Bowl 58, the celebration of the Chinese New Year and the significant leap year also helped the state’s gaming industry reach new heights in February. 

Hendrick also spoke about Nevada’s need to stay ahead of technological developments, especially regarding artificial intelligence and other innovations in the gaming space. 

“Artificial Intelligence Is Like Any Tool”

“Artificial intelligence is like any tool. A hammer it can do great things or bad things. We have to let the industry know about the guidelines on being sure that the tool is used effectively. If we can continue to do that, I’m happy to educate the other states,” Hendrick explained.

While Nevada has a strong history of leading the industry, Hendrick expressed concerns about being labeled as the “gold standard,” citing that many other states and countries have made significant strides in gaming regulation. 

The chairman also argued that while Nevada spends a lot of time educating everyone else around the world on their gold standard, the Silver State does not always have the time and money to educate its own people. Ultimately, Hendrick stressed the importance of having a well-funded Gaming Control Board, suggesting that if Nevada doesn’t invest in its own regulatory systems, it could struggle to keep pace with other states.