The great debate of legalizing online gambling has picked steam at the state level, and one Las Vegas casino owner would like Nevada to take the lead. Michael Gaughan is now the first owner of a brick-and-mortar Nevada casino to become a public supporter of legalizing online poker. The Nevada Gaming Commission would be granted regulatory and licensing powers over online poker by Assembly Bill 258. Gaughan, owner of the South Point Hotel and Casino, has publicly backed the bill, first introduced by assemblyman William Horne. Online giant PokerStars is also a supporter.

National casino chain Caesars Entertainment, however, is lobbying against the bill and, with both deep pockets and thick rolodexes, the company is aligning other casino chains to petition against the bill. Echoing the belief of most gamblers and industry watchers, Gaughan said, “There is no doubt in my mind that online poker and other games are coming.” Bill 258 has the potential to be a pioneer, and Gaughan would like to see it become “the leader for the rest of the country to emulate.”

Only last year, Nevada Senator Harry Reid proposed a bill to Congress for the legalization of online poker. All federal attempts to date, however, have fallen to the entangled legal process and ended up with messy legal language, from nationwide online poker blackouts to criminalizing current providers, such as PokerStars and FullTilt. Federal attempts at legalization have also been sponsored by such big name players as Caesar’s or MGM, including legal processes which would exclude smaller, less cash-flush casinos. Gaughan believes that a state bill would promote fairer competition, commenting, “I don’t want the big places to wind up with it, and the little guys can’t get it. Pass the bill and let the chips fall where they may. I think a state bill opens it up for everybody.”

Although there have been many attempts at legalizing online gambling, the fact that these attempts are growing in number, both federally and at the state level, speaks volumes. With each passing attempt, legalizing online poker becomes more of an inevitability.

“I think it’s good for the state,” Gaughan said. “I don’t know how good it will be for me, but I think it will benefit the state.” Gaughan’s bold support, mixed with Nevada’s desperate need to address both its $1 billion deficit and 13% unemployment rate, gives Assembly Bill 258 enough life to make some real legal tracks. Although there are no sure things in life, and especially not in the legal system, this is a concrete milestone in legalizing online poker.