Cantor Gaming - the Nevada based gambling technology developer and affiliate of Cantor Fitzgerald - has been recommended by the Nevada Gaming Control Board to be a licensed manufacturer of remote gambling devices, as well as oversee the distribution of the soon-to-be-seen handhelds.  Cantor Gaming was responsible for recently leading a legislative campaign to pass laws that would legalize wireless gambling - what some opponents were trying to label as legalized online casino gambling.  And now that Nevada has become the first U.S. state to permit remote gambling, Cantor Gaming may also be a first in terms of making the hi-tech devices a reality.

Remote gambling from handheld devices, for those who don't know, is now a regulated activity that allows land-based casinos in Nevada to offer casino guests the opportunity to gamble via handheld devices in public areas of the casino resort, such as in restaurants or by the pool.  Remote gambling is not permitted in secluded areas, such as hotel rooms or other secluded areas on resort grounds.  Certain games are permitted on the devices, such as blackjack, bingo, horse betting and poker.

Although it appears very likely Cantor Gaming will get the green light to start manufacturing the devices, the Gaming Control Board recommendation still must be approved by the Nevada Gaming Commission, which will be the final word on the matter.  A meeting is already scheduled for May 18, after which Cantor may begin their operations.  Cantor will not be wasting any time at all getting started once the approval goes through, for they have made it very clear they plan to invest large amounts of capital in the newly spawned industry.  The targeted demographic of gamblers will likely be those in their twenties and thirties.  Considering those who fall in this age range will be more familiar with and inclined to use the new technology - which is not that much different than video games - the prospects look good for remote gambling.

However, some casino operators, like Boyd Gaming, are skeptical about remote gambling, and are doubtful that the demand is there to warrant the offering of handheld gaming devices. Other casino operators, such as Harrah's, MGM and Station Casinos are open to the idea, but are still waiting to see how well the devices do at competing casino resorts.  A likely candidate for offering the devices may be Foxwoods Casino, who already has incorporated the PlayAway system - actually more like online gambling than remote betting in that it enables bettors to gamble from home computers.  See recent news articles for more information on the PlayAway System.