Nevada Plans to Ban Banned Players from Winning Jackpots
Date: 2024-09-25 Author: Alex Crawford Categories: EVENTS
Nevada’s gaming regulator has begun reviewing a proposal that would eliminate the ability of banned players to win jackpots. The proposal comes in response to an increase in conflicts between casinos and players who return to the premises despite being banned and win jackpots.
In one recent case, the Casa Blanca Resort was forced to pay a banned player a $2,045 jackpot he won last year. The payment was made under current rules that are expected to be changed soon to prevent jackpots from being paid to banned players.
According to CDC Gaming, a new proposal being considered by the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) would allow casinos to not pay out jackpots to previously banned players. It would also apply to those on Nevada’s so-called “Black Book,” a list of people who are banned from all casinos in the state.
The Black Book contains information about people who are banned from entering casinos for various reasons, including “known or questionable reputation.” Those on the list would thus face a lifetime ban from casinos.
Discussions with the Gambling Industry
The proposal will be discussed at an upcoming NGB meeting, where the regulator will hear from industry representatives before voting on the issue. However, board members are in no rush to implement the new rule, as a number of details need to be clarified. For example, under the proposal, casinos would not be required to refund the funds that led to the jackpot being won, but only the amount of the bet that triggered it.
In addition, operators of land-based and online casinos would be forced to change their rules if the proposal is approved. They would have to post information about the new rule on their entrances, but this will depend on the final version of the proposal.
Questions remain
Despite the discussion, there are still some uncertainties. Nevada State Attorney General Brittney Watkins asked whether the proposal would apply only to individual casinos or to all casinos affiliated with them. In response to her question, Nevada Senior Deputy Attorney General Mike Somps noted that it depends on the wording of the policy itself.
Nevada State Attorney General Kirk Hendrick expressed satisfaction that the gambling industry is approaching the regulator with such questions. He noted that with the Nevada State Attorney General overloaded, the number of appeals between casinos and players is growing. Hendrick also hinted that Nevada lawmakers may consider making changes to resolve such disputes. "We don't have the staff to deal with the many cases where players claim they have been wrongfully removed from the premises," he added.
