Nevada Governor Wants Poker Liquidity

If you ask any poker player, they will tell you a larger pool of players is much better than a smaller one. This is pure common sense. Common sense many lawmakers do not have. As of now, the regulated poker market in the United States is an interstate one that forces players to be within a state's borders to play online poker. Only Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware currently run regulated poker rooms. In order to play at one these sites, you have to be within in that state. Even if you are a New Jersey resident traveling to a state that does not regulate online gambling, you cannot play on the New Jersey poker rooms. This system is what most players feared. The initial hope was a federal bill that make online gambling completely legal and regulated, but still giving states the option to opt out. Instead, we have a snail's pace market that lets each state decide if they want to regulate the game. The federal level has yet to step in on this matter. It appears that Nevada Governor – Brian Sandoval spoke out about this topic on Friday. During a special hearing on -e-sports, the governor asked for a “compact” with the state of New Jersey. The goal is to pool both player pools for the benefit of all. Although one could look at this as only benefiting Nevada. Nevada has already pooled players with Delaware, but the effect of this deal has shown little results. Both states have a small population that can't sustain their own poker network. New Jersey on the other hand, owns 92% of the entire poker market. This essentially means of all the people playing online poker in regulated states, 92% of them play on New Jersey sites. Nevada has already seen closures of online poker rooms due to lack of players and no income. The Jersey market is thriving. According to the state, online gambling is up over 30% this year. Record months are being set, and millions are being made. In April alone, the state took in over $17 million from gamblers – a 33% increase from last Aprils statements. Poker is up as well with 30% increases from month to month for the most part. Poker does make up a smaller share of the overall gambling market, but still brings in around $2 million a month on average. New Jersey has yet to speak on this proposed “Compact.” Michigan and California appear to be on the fast-track to regulate online gambling which could lead to more opportunities to liquidate player pools as well.