Nevada Gov looks to Australia for Online Gaming research

The US state of Nevada has a lot in common with Australia. Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval found that out this week after a trip to Sydney, where he spoke with online gaming execs during the unveiling of Scientific Games Corp‘s newest international office in Silverwater on Tuesday.

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval (left) with Adrian Halpenny, SVP Sientific Games Australia/Asia (right) at opening of Scientific Games Corp’s new Sydney office; photo GGRAsia.com

According to GGRAsia, Gov. Sandoval has been frequenting The Land Down Under lately, fulfilling a desire to diversify Nevada’s economy. The state is best known for it’s gambling mecca throughout Las Vegas and Reno. What the state’s top-ranking politician discovered – much to his delight – is that Nevada and Australia have an awful lot in common, especially when it comes to gambling.

Both region’s have extensive land-based gambling markets, which they rely heavily upon to spur administrative revenue and economic growth. Both are active participants in online gaming markets as well. The two major differences, however, are what types of interactive gaming is permitted, and how long each territory has been in the business of regulating them.

Online Gaming in Australia

Australia is home to a range of legally licensed online sports betting operations, and has been since passage of the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001. However, other forms of online gaming – casino, poker, etc. – are largely restricted. Operators can be licensed in Australia, but cannot accept Australian based players. Offshore operators are not permitted to accept Australians, either. However, Australians are not prohibited from playing at offshore gambling sites.

Online Gaming in Nevada

In Nevada, interactive gaming did not become a legal, regulated market until 2013, following the passage of Assembly Bill 114. Like Australia, types of legalized interactive gambling are very restricted, permitting only online poker. Operators who are licensed in Nevada may only accept players physically located within the state.

Collaborative Research Efforts

On Monday, Gov. Sandoval met with two prominent gaming execs, Bo Bernard, Executive Director of the International Gaming Institute at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and Alex Blaszczynski, Professor of Clinical Psychology specializing in gambling studies at the University of Sydney.

According to a press release from Gov. Sandoval’s office, the three spoke of formally collaborating on research efforts between the Nevada-based Institute and the Sydney University’s Gambling Treatment Clinic, signing an official Statement of Intent to do so.

As for Nevada’s part in the arrangement, the state is particularly interested in gaining more scientific knowledge regarding the behavior of online gaming enthusiasts. The research will also cover advancements in mining, education, water and other technologies.

“Queensland’s focus on innovation presents a unique opportunity to help propel many of our key industries into the future,” Gov. Sandoval said. “Through the Statement of Intent, we have committed to collaborate with the State of Queensland in areas of mutual benefit to ensure that we are working together to increase trade and investment opportunities.”

Australia’s Gaming Technologies Association (GTA) Chief Executive, Ross Ferrar, was also in attendance for the Scientific Games new headquarters grand opening ceremony. In a statement to GGRAsia, Ferrar noted his estimation that “governor Sandoval was surprised at how many ties there are between New South Wales and Nevada.”

Ferrar went on to say, “It’s worth bearing in mind that it’s now 60 years since the first legislation was passed by the then state government to legalise slot machines in clubs in New South Wales.”