The latest push for mobile gambling expansion in Nevada has hit a snag, as an Assembly panel on Monday voted for a casino regulation measure that did not include a business expansion amendment sought by Cantor Fitzgerald LP (Cantor).
The Judiciary Committee voted in favor of AB535, a bill sought by the state Gaming Control Board (GCB), though elected not to include provisions sought by Phil Flaherty, a consultant with Cantor, which would allow licensed wireless device companies to run race and sports book operations.
The AP reports that the Cantor amendment was opposed by several parties, including operators Club Cal Neva and Leroy's Race and Sports Book, as well as GCB Chairman Dennis Neilander, who told the news service that he didn't want the bill "weighted down with changes" and that Cantor may want "to find another horse to ride."
Cantor's legal representative, Bob Faiss, said that Monday's hearing was the first opportunity for the company to present its expansion proposal.
While Cantor may attempt to piggyback the amendment on another measure or to AB535 when it moves from the Aseembly to the Senate, Faiss said the company had no other plans than to continue "evaluating the situation."
Representatives for the Reno-based Club Cal Neva said that Cantor should abide by the same requirements of other race and sports betting operators--that is, to have a casino as a base of operations.
Representatives for Leroy's expressed likewise, arguing that the amendment could clear the way for wireless companies to circumvent the bricks and mortar requirement.
Las Vegas-based Cantor Gaming, a division of Cantor Fitzgerald, was instrumental in passing Assembly Bill 471 in 2005, which permits wireless hand-held gaming devices to be used in certain public areas of Las Vegas casinos.
In May 2006, Cantor became the first company to win a license to offer a mobile gaming product at Las Vegas casinos.
Click here to view a copy of AB535.