The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) is set to review proposed revisions to its Technical Standards for Gaming Devices and Associated Equipment at a meeting scheduled for October 7. These revisions encompass a wide range of topics, including slot systems, cashless wagering accounts, and race and sports betting.
Ten standards are under consideration, with proposal draft dates stretching from June to August. The board informed licensees of these revisions and the upcoming meeting on September 4. Stakeholders are invited to submit comments until October 5, prior to the hearing.
The proposed changes vary in significance, with some revisions focusing on minor language updates while others, like the changes to Standard 3 (regarding slot metering systems), involve considerable modifications, including additions and omissions. Many proposals include explanatory notes clarifying the nature of the adjustments.
Although Nevada remains a leading gaming hub in the U.S., it has faced criticism for a regulatory approach to technology that appears slow-moving compared to emerging gaming jurisdictions. Modernization has become a priority since Mike Dreitzer became the NGCB chair last June, and these latest revisions are part of that ongoing effort.
"We finally reached a point where we decided to prioritize these updates and get them finalized and open for comment to ensure we stay current," stated Jeremy Eberwein, head of the board's Technology Division.
The main objective of this overhaul has been to consolidate technical standards and requirements that previously existed in various places, including the state’s Minimum Internal Control Standards, which combined both technical and procedural requirements. Eberwein explained that organizing this information in one centralized location will help licensees access technical guidelines more easily, rather than having to sift through multiple sources.
This process has evolved over several years, with various drafts developed internally over the last decade that never reached finalization for different reasons, according to Eberwein. The NGCB hopes that the drafts are effectively finalized, although stakeholder feedback is anticipated during the comment period and at the meeting.
One group that commonly provides feedback, the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers, did not respond by the publication deadline for comments. Depending on stakeholder responses and any objections from the Nevada Gaming Commission, the new standards could be adopted and made public by the end of the year.
This period has proven to be particularly busy for the NGCB since early 2025. During this time, the regulator imposed five significant anti-money laundering penalties against various entities on the Las Vegas Strip, marking an unprecedented wave of sanctions in the region.
The investigations involved major operators such as Resorts World Las Vegas, MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, and The Venetian, all linked to AML violations associated with illegal bookmaker Mathew Bowyer, who was added to the state's exclusion list in April. Another case related to Wynn Las Vegas did not involve Bowyer.
Wynn Las Vegas faced a penalty of $130 million due to multiple violations of proxy betting regulations, identified by federal prosecutors as potentially the largest forfeiture of its kind by a casino acknowledging criminal wrongdoing.
On a regulatory front, the NGCB has been actively revising several regulatory sets, including gaming salon rules, AML reporting guidelines, and now the technical standards. Dreitzer, who is currently the fifth person to chair the NGCB since 2019, has a partial term that extends until January 2027. Earlier this year, he expressed interest in a full four-year term after his current tenure.
With a background in gaming technology and testing labs, Dreitzer emphasizes the need for improvement in the state’s regulatory processes. He noted in January that many licensees prefer to avoid Nevada due to concerns about the time-consuming regulatory framework and inconsistencies. Dreitzer indicated that addressing these challenges has been a key focus during his tenure as chair.
