If recent initiatives from New Jersey are successful, the number of online poker players in Nevada could increase.
Currently, Nevada and Delaware share a player pool. However, New Jersey officials are also open to discussing a potential shared liquidity agreement.
New Jersey and Nevada discussing a compact again
Previously, New Jersey showed minimal interest in establishing a compact with Nevada, given that the majority of its patrons are online casino players. This is in stark contrast to Nevada, where only online poker is accessible, not online casinos.
Nonetheless, New Jersey is currently changing its position. The month of June witnessed a historic low for online poker in the Garden State. Even though the online casino industry is experiencing consistent growth and expansion, poker is not only stagnant but also on a decline.
Chairman David Rebuck of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement admitted in a recent interview with Global Gaming Business Magazine that his position on Nevada liquidity has changed.
I have recommenced dialogue with AG Burnett, the head of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, to consider the potential for an agreement to share online poker liquidity. However, considering that 90% of our earnings come from online casino games not including poker, this is not of major relevance unless Nevada allows all casino games to be played online.
Rebuck’s claim that the limited number of players in Nevada wouldn’t significantly boost the whole industry is correct. Yet, when it comes to poker specifically, it could potentially provide a considerable advantage for Nevada.
WSOP.com is the sole platform that can maintain a presence in The Silver State, boasting only a few hundred active players at any one time. The majority of low stakes online cash games often see the same dozen players participating at various tables. The addition of players from New Jersey has the potential to drastically alter the scene.
Server location the key to online poker liquidity
The recent liquidity-sharing agreement between Rebuck and New Jersey collapsed due to conflicts with British websites. The problem with this deal is that New Jersey’s current gaming law mandates that all servers must be situated in Atlantic City.
British sites did not plan to interrupt their operations and move their servers across the Atlantic. Yet, if Nevada and Delaware want a deal with New Jersey, they would also have to relocate their servers.
The presence of WSOP.com in both New Jersey and Nevada could potentially simplify the server issue compared to British sites. Nevertheless, any modifications would necessitate the consent of the Nevada Gambling Control Board.
Lesniaks proposed bill offering new hope for liquidity
It seems that liquidity could be the best opportunity for industry growth as individual states with online poker struggle with bill payments.
New Jersey State Senator Ray Lesniak has suggested a possible resolution to the server issue. He has informed the Associated Press of his intention to draft a bill that will revise the server directive, thereby enabling New Jersey to be accessible to national and international liquidity partners.
