Law Students Help Nevada Streamline Gaming Licensing Process
Nevada is about to shorten and streamline the process of determining gaming licensing suitability for applicants, and gaming law students at the William S. Boyd School of Law can claim the credit.
The bill was created and lobbied by students in cooperation with the gaming control agencies. Gov. Brian Sandoval signed A.B. 213 into law near the end of the legislative session.
The measure authorizes the Gaming Commission to issue a “preliminary finding of suitability.” This procedure subjects an applicant to the same level of investigation by the Nevada Gaming Control Board as an applicant for a non-restricted gaming license but does not authorize involvement in the gaming industry.
The advance determination of suitability is expected to shorten the investigation time necessary for approval of a subsequent application to be licensed for a particular involvement, such as casino ownership or operation.
“Nevada is the gold standard for regulating gaming and we must continue to be,” Governor Sandoval said.
Prior to the passage of A.B. 213, in order to apply for a gaming license or a finding of suitability, persons had to have either an existing involvement with the gaming industry or an agreement that gave them the right to such involvement.
The legislative bill was a project of a gaming law seminar taught by Adjunct Professors Bob Faiss and Greg Gemignani, both gaming law attorneys at the firm of Lionel Sawyer & Collins.
Faiss predicted the legislation will enhance the orderly flow of new investment in the Nevada gaming industry.
“I believe it is a fundamental and beneficial change to our gaming control system and is consistent with Governor Sandoval’s resolve to have a gaming control system that is responsive to the realities of the modern gaming industry,” he said.
The bill also includes a provision to improve the process for gaming control disciplinary complaints.
The Gaming Commission must still adopt regulations to implement provisions of the bill.