A top Nevada's gaming regulator said the state Legislature is currently considering a project to lower the minimum gambling age from 21 to 18 as a way to increase gambling revenue in the state of Nevada. The idea of lowering the gambling age was suggested by Thomas Smock, a gaming industry lawyer in a meeting with regulators at Friday's gaming law conference sponsored by the State Bar of Nevada. According to him, about 12 million Americans could be allowed to gamble if the law is changed.

State Gaming Control Board Chairman Dennis Neilander and Nevada Gaming Commission Chairman Peter Bernhard were asked their thoughts about changing Nevada's gambling age limit from 21 to 18. Neilander said that even when he does not support or oppose the idea, he would take the suggestion to Steven Horsford, the new Senate majority leader, and Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley. In an interview made by the Las Vegas Sun, Smock said that this discussion would help the Las Vegas casinos and gambling industry in general to recover from the national economic downturn.

"I personally feel that this is a way that additional revenue could be generated, and if that means keeping our teachers employed and not cutting the state budget any further, I think it should at least be discussed," said Smock.

Smock also mentioned that 18-year-olds are allowed to vote and serve in the military. There is some precedent in neighboring states in where 18 year olds are allowed to gamble. The age requirement to play at most tribal casinos in California is 18, while in Arizona; 18-year-olds were allowed to play before voters approved an initiative to change the age limit to 21.

Since the minimum age to gamble is a state law, the bill would have to be approved by the state’s Legislature and signed by the Governor to change the current legislation. Nevada law says that any individual under the age of 21 years is not allowed to "play, place wagers at, or collect winnings from, whether personally or through an agent, any gambling game, slot machines, sportsbooks, sports pool or pari-mutuel operator; loiter, or be permitted to loiter, in or about any room or premises wherein any licensed game, race book, sports pool or pari-mutuel wagering is operated or conducted or be employed as a gaming employee except in a counting room." Any person who violates this rule can face criminal charges, the law also says that thinking someone is over 21 is no excuse for violating the law, so everyone is in the obligation to provide an ID to prove his/her age.