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Bob Dancer writes a video poker column for beginners to experts. He also writes a column with Jeffrey Compton, "Player's Edge", featuring information on promotions at various Las Vegas casinos. Player's Edge is published each Friday in the Neon section of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Click here to send Bob Dancer an e-mail.

For more details and a schedule of Bob's free classes, visit www.bobdancer.com.

May 13, 2008

A Change in the Law

Several of us have had disputes with casinos somewhere along the way. The relevant law changed on this, effective July 1, 2007. I am not a lawyer, nor do I play one on television, but I'm going to give you my take on this.

This will be a shorter-than-average column, but it discusses something that isn't well known by players, but should be.

In particular we're looking at the Nevada Revised Statutes 463.362, which deals with when the Gaming Control Board has jurisdiction to hear disputes between licensees (mainly casinos, but it also includes bars, restaurants, supermarkets, and other businesses that have gaming machines) and patrons.

Prior to the most recent revision, the relevant part of the rule read rule read that for the GCB to have jurisdiction, the manner of the dispute must have to do with:

(a) Alleged winning or alleged losses; or

(b) The manner in which the game is conducted.

The same section of the new rule reads

(a) Alleged winnings, alleged losses, or the award or distribution of cash, prizes, tickets or any other item or items in a game, tournament, contest, drawing, promotion or similar activity or event; or

(b) The manner in which a game, tournament, contest, drawing, promotion or similar activity or event is conducted.

So, what does this mean and how is it important to us?

In the past, promotions have largely been ignored in the GCB, presumably because of lack of jurisdiction. There was a gas card dispute reported here some time ago that may well have been decided differently had this law been in effect at the time.

There have been other occasions where the actual implementation of a promotion has been suspect, but the GCB didn't have jurisdiction so your options were limited. (You COULD yell and scream before, and those options haven't been affected.)

This change in rule cuts both ways. With the GCB now willing to look more closely at disputes arising during promotions, casinos may be less likely to take chances with new promotions. A HUGE source of revenue for smart players has been taking advantage of mistakes made by casinos who've been trying out new promotions. On average, the best players are considerably more math-savvy than the casino employees who create the new promotions. If the GCB is now taking a sharper look at promotions, this will inhibit the willingness of casinos to try new promotions, which will cut down on this source of revenue for players.

Even having the GCB "watchdog" is no guarantee that disputes will go "your" way. But at least you get your day in court. And sometimes players win. Overall I think this is a good thing for players. And, more importantly, I think this is a very important thing for players who play in Nevada to know ABOUT.