At its recent hearing, the Nevada Gaming Control Board has recommended ACEP Interactive, one of the latest applicants for a Silver State online poker licence, to the Nevada Gaming Commission.

Speaking about its plans for the entry into the legalised intrastate online poker market, ACEP Interactive, a subsidiary of American Casino and Entertainment Properties, said it will start out with a free-to-play business model to generate players and extend brand awareness. If the free-play venture proves successful, the company will then turn its efforts to real-money action.

Although the firm spent the last 18 months studying the market and planning the best way forward in a commercial sense, it appeared that they have not yet decided on a suitable technology-software partner.

ACEP Interactive, which owns four land casino properties in southern Nevada, and WMS Industries were both successful in achieving the Board&s recommendation. Therefore they will be granted a licence by the Nevada Gaming Commission joining a list of companies that include Bally Technologies, Shuffle Master, IGT, Monarch Interactive and South Point Poker LLC.