Nevada bill to aggressively pursue illegal gambling operators
The article from ReadWrite discusses Nevada’s legislative efforts to combat illegal gambling through Senate Bill 256 (SB 256). This bill empowers the state to prosecute unlicensed gambling operators, including those based outside Nevada, if they accept bets from Nevada residents. Key provisions of SB 256 include:
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Allowing prosecution of out-of-state operators targeting Nevada residents.
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Mandating the forfeiture of all earnings from illegal gambling to the state’s general fund.
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Elevating certain gambling offenses from misdemeanors to felonies, with penalties up to 10 years in prison.
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Introducing significant penalties for operating offshore gambling sites, potentially encompassing sweepstakes casinos.
While the bill doesn’t explicitly mention online sweepstakes, it references state law defining gambling games broadly, potentially including sweepstakes’ dual-currency systems. The legislation has garnered support from industry bodies like the Nevada Gaming Control Board and the Nevada Resort Association, aiming to protect the state’s casino and tourism industries from unlicensed operators.
