The legalization of poker in Nevada has many people wondering if Las Vegas will become a hotbed for the game. While it is too early to say for certain, it seems likely that poker will become more popular in Sin City as the game becomes more accessible and regulated.
Since Nevada became the first state to legalize poker, many other states are considering following suit. In fact, there has been talk of legalizing poker in New Jersey and Illinois.
If these states do legalize poker, it is likely that Las Vegas would become a major player in the industry.
There are already PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker operations in Las Vegas, which suggests that the market is there. The problem is that poker is still illegal at the federal level, so operators must deal with various legal hurdles.
However, with the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), this may change in the future.
If UIGEA is repealed or modified, then online poker will be legal at the federal level and operators like PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker can start offering their services to American players without worry about prosecution. In this scenario, Las Vegas would once again become a major destination for poker players.
