Nevada Assemblywoman Merle Berman is joining Interactive Solutions Corp.'s board of directors, the company said Wednesday.
Berman has been in the state Assembly for three terms and was the impetus behind Nevada's Interactive Gaming Bill, which makes Internet gambling legal in the state and was signed into law in June by Gov. Kenny Guinn.
Anthony Geisler, ISC's chief executive, said Berman's involvement in bringing Internet gambling to Nevada will benefit the I-gaming software company.
"We are very pleased to bring her onto the board knowing she will be able to contribute her knowledge gained through this process," he said.
Berman, who will receive stock options in ISC as compensation for her board duties, will bring legal expertise to the six-member board, said Ashley Powell, ISC's vice president.
"She has the legal background as far as the legislation that just passed in Nevada, because she's actually involved with that and continuing to stay involved with that," Powell said. "It will help keep ISC on top of things that are moving forward in Nevada, helping us to make good connections with other legislators and the Nevada Gaming Control Board."
Berman, a 28-year resident of Nevada, said one of her reasons for joining the Irvine-based company's board is that its games are "fabulous."
"I've seen a lot of games, but I was very impressed," she said. "A lot of energy in the company."
Powell said Berman's appointment was a mutual decision between the assemblywoman and ISC.
"We actually just started talking last month, and we've been kind of meeting with her on and off since then. She just has a great interest in our company and our software, and felt that we were one of the leaders in the industry," Powell said.
Berman, whose board appointment was effective Nov. 6, said her involvement with an Internet gambling software company means that she won't be able to vote on anything in the Nevada legislature that has to do with I-gaming.
"If, during the next legislative session, something came up that one had to vote on that had to do with games on the Internet, not interactive gaming, but games on the Internet, I would have to disclose that and I would not be voting on it," she said.