Nevada Gaming Commission Looks at Online Poker
Posted by Prof's Vegas Poker Blog | Posted in Las Vegas Poker News, Pokerstars | Posted on 22-03-2010
It's been more than three years since the UIGEA act forced US Internet poker players away from the tables, virtual and real. Before UIGEA the 2006 WSOP Main Event hosted 8,773 players, then the mass exodus after UIGEA, and the paid entrants for the 2007 WSOP Main Event nose dived 28% to 6,358. The numbers for the 2009 WSOP Main Event was 6,494.
If the Nevada Gaming Control Board decides to crack down on the contractual relationships with Nevada casinos and online gaming sites the WSOP and other major poker tournaments will again take a hit, some could disappear altogether. The control board could decide to end all relationships between online gaming sites and Nevada casinos, even the .net website.
Does this mean no more .net gaming website ads on the table covers at the WSOP. Will player's regress to wearing street clothes without logo? Can the online poker rooms come up with another clever way to keep the brand out there without upsetting gaming regulators; and, if not, will the online sponsorships dry-up and further erode the tournament entry numbers?
Remember when there was no UIGEA and every one was happy? Poker had finally slipped out of the smokey back rooms and moved to prime time on the widescreen TV in family homes around the world.
