Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2013 | 4:40 p.m.
Some casinos that gained prior approval from state regulators are taking a go-slow approach in entering the online poker market.
The state Gaming Control Board Wednesday recommended approval to three companies to extend their license for another six months before they offer the computer poker business in Nevada.
Board chairman A.G. Burnett said the law requires companies to activate their licenses within six months. He said these firms are in a "holding" mode, waiting to see how the market emerges.
And he said some companies are still developing their product or waiting for the control board's staff to clear their interactive game system.
Preliminary approvals were granted to ACEP Interactive at the Stratosphere, South Point Poker and Monarch Interactive at the Atlantis hotel-casino in Reno.
Ultimate Poker, a majority owned subsidiary of Stations Casinos in Las Vegas, launched the first online poker game in Nevada. Burnett said this company is "getting a lot of play."
The board was told that casinos in some areas of Northern Nevada are enjoying good business.
David Farahi of the Atlantis said this week has been one of its biggest in Reno with the Hot August Nights auto show and other events.
The board recommended approval of the reorganization of Jacobs Entertainment that owns Gold Dust casinos in Reno, Elko and Carson City. Company President Stephen R. Roark told the board that business "has been great in Reno" and he is optimistic about Elko with its gold mining activity, but he added: "It's been a battle in Carson City but we're hanging in there."
Other non-restricted applications recommended for approval included:
• HCL America Inc., of Sunnyvale, Calif., to provide information technology to Nevada casinos. It presently has an agreement with the Las Vegas Sands and plans to expand its business in this state.
• Nicholas Singer to transfer his 50 percent interest in Standard General Gaming that operates the Aliante in North Las Vegas to Soohyung Kim.
• Atul Bali as chief executive officer of Aristocrat Technologies in Las Vegas.
• Multimedia Games Holding Company of Austin, Texas for a slot machine operator's license.
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