Nevada’s gaming industry might be cashing in on marijuana despite the industry’s concerns. Governor Brian Sandoval announced Wednesday morning that he signed an executive order directing the state’s Gaming Policy Committee to discuss and recommend policy on how casinos should work with marijuana businesses.
“Gaming regulators have been clear on the prohibition of marijuana consumption on licensed gaming properties, but there are additional policy considerations such as industry events and business relationships that should be contemplated,” Sandoval said. This prohibition of cannabis on casino premises could have a severely negative impact as some players may just stay at home and play at Paybyphonebillcasino.uk.
The 12-member committee, which Sandoval is a member of, will discuss whether gaming establishments can exchange money with marijuana businesses and whether they can host events that promote the sale, cultivation or distribution of marijuana.
“This is not about smoking marijuana at casinos, this is business. This is business conventions. This is money. This is where they can talk about insurance for dispensaries at a convention or security. It’s one thing to sell marijuana at a casino, but it’s another to just talk business,” said Sen. Tick Segerblom, D-Las Vegas, a member of the Gaming Policy Committee. “Las Vegas could be the capital for these conventions and Reno.”
“I was receiving a large number of calls by licensees and others,” said Tony Alamo, chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission, which creates many of the state’s gaming policies.
Alamo, who is relieved that the governor has summoned the committee, has received dozens of calls from gaming officials that are curious about the “what if” scenarios and what punishments they would suffer if they followed through with “this or that,” he said.
The mere discussion of marijuana at an event makes some licensed gaming establishments nervous, largely because of direction they received dating back to 2014, just before medical marijuana became available in Nevada.
“We told licenses stay away from marijuana, you could be involved in federal violations,” said A.G. Burnett, chairman of the Gaming Control Board, which regulates the industry in Nevada. “There were a number of gaming licensees that wanted to get involved, and we had everyone clear until the 2017 legislative session. We had maneuvered and guided the industry, but with the advent of recreational, it’s a different game.”
