The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) is set to review proposed changes to several Technical Standards for Gaming Devices and Associated Equipment during its upcoming meeting on October 7. These revisions encompass a range of topics, including slot systems, cashless wagering accounts, and both race and sportsbook regulations.
In total, ten standards are on the table for modification, with drafts dated between June and August. Licensees were informed about the upcoming revisions and meeting on September 4. Comments from interested parties can be submitted until October 5.
The revisions vary in significance, with some standards experiencing only minor changes, like Standard 9, which deals with digital parimutuel systems. In contrast, Standard 3, concerning slot metering systems, will undergo substantial additions and deletions. The proposed changes come with detailed explanatory notes outlining the rationale behind the edits.
Despite Nevada's status as the leading gaming state in the U.S., its technology-related regulatory framework has been criticized for being slow and convoluted compared to other emerging jurisdictions. Since taking over as NGCB Chair in June, Mike Dreitzer has prioritized modernization as part of the board's ongoing efforts. "We finally got to a point where we said, you know what, let’s drop all our other efforts right now and get these over the finish line and get them up for comment so that we can make sure that we’re current with things," stated Jeremy Eberwein, head of the board's Technology Division.
The primary task has involved centralizing technical information into a single source, enhancing accessibility for licensees. Previously, some technical standards were intertwined with the state’s Minimum Internal Control Standards, making it a challenge for parties to locate necessary information easily. Eberwein noted that this compilation effort has been in development for several years, often interrupted but ultimately aiming to streamline resources.
The NGCB anticipates that the proposal drafts may be near finalization, although stakeholder feedback is expected during the comment period and at the public hearing. The Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers, a group that routinely engages in these discussions, did not respond by the deadline for publication.
This period has been particularly active for the NGCB, which has executed five multimillion-dollar fines related to anti-money laundering (AML) violations since the start of 2025. This spate of penalties represents an unprecedented wave of sanctions for Las Vegas. Investigations into Resorts World Las Vegas, MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, and the Venetian were linked to AML breaches associated with illegal bookmaker Mathew Bowyer, who the state excluded in April. A separate case involving Wynn Las Vegas was not related to Bowyer's activities.
Wynn also forfeited $130 million to the federal government for multiple proxy betting violations, marking what authorities described as the most substantial forfeiture by a casino stemming from admissions of criminal activity.
Along with these legal adjustments, the NGCB has diligently revised numerous regulations, including those governing gaming salons and AML reporting. Dreitzer is the fifth chair to assume the role since 2019, with his current term set to expire in January 2027. Earlier this year, he expressed interest in a full four-year term when his current tenure concludes. Drawing from his background in supply and testing laboratories, he understands the technical hurdles facing the state.
“When I started here, I had multiple conversations with various licensees who operate across multiple jurisdictions, and the consistent commentary I heard was that they would go to Nevada last, if not never at all, because there was concern about the time it would take, the lack of regulatory consistency, the lack of clarity,” he remarked in January. "So when I came in, in view of the mandate from the governor and the work begun by Chair Hendrick, I felt I needed to do something."
