Nevada regulators OK a marijuana-gaming relationship

Just Released! Get realistic market forecasts, state-by-state insights and benchmarks with the new 2024 MJBiz Factbook member program, now with quarterly updates. Make informed decisions.


Marijuana stores with slot machines? Casinos with gamblers drawing on vape-pens?

Not yet. But early inroads are perhaps being made.

The Nevada Gaming Commission ruled unanimously that a gaming license holder can lease a building from a businessman who also rents to someone in the marijuana industry, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

It’s the first time Nevada gaming regulators have had to decide whether someone with a gambling license was too closely associated with a marijuana business, according to the newspaper.

It’s not clear if the ruling means a casino and marijuana business could now be in the same building owned by the same landlords, and a gaming commission official was not available for comment.

The ruling stems from a lease signed by Stuart Apollo, a gaming license holder who planned to open The Lodge tavern in Henderson and outfit it with 15 slot machines, the Review-Journal reported.

Gaming commission investigators, however, discovered that the landlords of the property also had contracts with people in Nevada’s marijuana industry and decided that regulators would not approve of gambling license holders and marijuana business holders conducting business with each other.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board then recommended approval of Apollo’s request, according to the newspaper, and the gaming commission – which has final say – agreed.