Nevada has long been the top target for gamblers from the United States and around the world. Known worldwide as the premier destination for brick-and-mortar casino gambling, the Silver State stands poised to offer the first virtual hand of legal US online poker before any other US state. By adopting statewide legislation that legalized online poker play for its residents and travelers, Nevada seemingly holds all the cards in the online poker game in the US.

That state has obviously not gone unnoticed by prospective online gaming license holders intending to get a piece of the initial online poker pie in the United States. Nevada has already approved their first two license holders for interactive Internet gaming, naming rival slot machine manufacturers International Game Technology and Bally Technologies Inc. as the first two lucky companies to position themselves to profit favorably from the new online poker legislation. But they are far from the only applicants at this early stage.

The Nevada Gaming Commission recently reported that they have more than 30 applications pending for interactive gaming licenses, and while they are certainly excited about actually delivering virtual poker as a reality, they are sifting through the applications methodically to ensure a safe and reliable experience for Nevada residents and tourists. When asked how quickly companies can expect to receive a license if they pass the rigorous vetting process, the NGC stated that they will probably approve 2 to 4 new companies for interactive gaming licenses each month.

Reiterating his favorable stance on online poker, Gov. Brian Sandoval stated that he is “determined that Nevada maintain its position as leader of gaming in the world.” Only two steps remain before Bally and IGT can begin online poker operations. Individual casino operators and brick-and-mortar companies need to also be licensed in Nevada by the NGC, and gaming labs need to test all applicable software before Nevada residents shuffle up and deal online.

Both IGT and Bally are based in Nevada, and have years of experience delivering brick-and-mortar and online gaming. But with 30 other applicants waiting in the wings, many of them potential competitors, IGT and Bally would obviously love to replicate their “first-ever” online poker licensing status with a “first-ever company to make online poker in Nevada a reality” claim by dealing the first virtual hand.

It is easy to argue who the winning company will be once online poker play actually begins in Nevada. Delaware recently approved online poker play in that state, and there is no early word whether Bally or IGT applied for online poker licensing in Delaware. In trying to predict the winners of the Nevada/Delaware race to deliver the first online poker virtual hand in the United States, as well as what company will potentially profit prodigiously is anyone’s guess. But one thing is for sure. The only guaranteed winners are the residents in Delaware and Nevada, and any ensuing state that decides to pass online poker legislation for their residents and travelers.

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