Aristocrat Technologies applies for Nevada online poker license

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- Aristocrat Technologies Inc. has filed its application with state regulators for an expansion of its gaming license to be one of the first companies to offer online poker games within Nevada, a company executive confirmed Wednesday.

Nick Khin, president of Las Vegas-based Aristocrat Technologies, said the application was focused on providing online gaming technology, allowing the company to be a "platform provider" to existing brick-and-mortar casinos.

"We are very excited about Internet gaming and have applied for a license," Khin said in a phone interview.

Since the company is already licensed by the state, Khin was hopeful gaming regulators would approve their application "fairly soon." The approvals were expect by the end of the first quarter of 2012.

He said the company had been pitching its Internet casino platform to some 270 casino clients since Global Gaming Expo, or G2E, in October. The platform allows a casino to set up a virtual, free-play casino with access to approximately 40 games from slots to poker.

"The platform allows our clients to market a virtual casino to its customers to play for free, when the law changes it will allow them to move into a play for real-money site," Khin said.

The company has sold its gaming platform, Oasis 360, to Maryland Live! Casino, a casino scheduled to open in June, and to Island Resort & Casino, a tribal casino in Harris, Mich. Both online, play-for-fun casinos are expected to launch in the first quarter of 2012.

Aristocrat Technologies is a subsidiary of Australian-based Aristocrat Leisure Limited.

According to the company's website, Aristocrat Technologies designs, manufactures, markets, and sells gaming machines, progressive systems and casino management systems. Among its products are play for fun games for the iPhone and iPad.

The company is the seventh to file an application with the Nevada Gaming Control Board. The other gaming companies with applications in the regulatory pipeline are Cantor Gaming, Shuffle Master, International Game Technology, Bally's Technology, Caesars Entertainment and the South Point.

Only South Point has applied to be an operator of an Internet poker site.

On Dec. 22, the Nevada Gaming Commission approved new regulations for the licensing of companies that offer Internet poker within the state.

The new regulations require applicants, including Aristocrat Technologies, to prove their ability to maintain controls on player registration, prevent underage play and establish the location of the players before they are licensed. Other regulations deal with record keeping, fees and taxation and problem gambling notification.