VEGAS INC Magazine - Latest Las Vegas business news, features and commentaries about gaming, tourism, real estate and more
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NOVEMBER 19, 2012 / YOUR BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS WEEKLY SPECIAL FOCUS TECHNOLOGY AT WORK This month, VEGAS INC examines the local tech industry and its impact on the economy. ONLINE POKER: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW By Steve Green senior staff writer A s Nevada moves toward launching real-money online poker, there are sev- eral concepts to keep in mind about the complexities of the emerging industry. Consider: • It is unclear whether Congress will ap- prove Sen. Harry Reid's Nevada-friendly plan to limit American online gambling to player-to-player poker, horse racing and lottery tickets or whether legisla- tors will favor a more comprehensive federal plan. GOOD INTRODUCTION: Leith Martin is the co-founder of Ubiquita, which sells Internet-based phone, voice mail and fax services to small businesses. LEILA NAVIDI LOCAL INNOVATORS Meet some startups that are putting Las Vegas on the map as a high-tech hub By Eli Segall staff writer W hen most people think of U.S. tech hubs, Silicon Valley, Seattle and Boston come to mind. ¶ Las Vegas used to fall far down on that list, but thanks to companies settling and expanding here, it's starting to creep higher. ¶ The valley is experiencing a startup boom that has produced entre- preneurs who, sometimes with minimal capital, are building tech companies. Many are focused on social media, but other ideas are being hatched as well, including mini-robots, video streaming and Internet-based phone services. ¶ "Everyone has their own thing they want to go after," said Pin Tan, a Las Vegas lawyer who helps clients acquire patents and trademarks and who himself develops mobile apps. SEE STARTUPS, PAGE 14 FLU SHOTS $20 Quality, Quick & Convenient Medical Care No appointments are needed and we accept most insurance plans. CALL TO SET UP A FLU, PNEUMONIA AND B12 ON-SITE SHOT EVENT. 655 S. Green Valley Parkway, Ste 100 | Henderson, NV 89052 | Open 7 days a week 7am to 7pm | 702-431-7337 | www.doctorsexpresslasvegas.com By limiting the scope of play online, Reid hopes to protect Nevada's casinos from Internet competition while also boosting the state as a leader in the de- velopment and regulation of the nation- al online poker industry. Keep in mind: player-to-player poker is the game played at the World Series of Poker. It's not video poker. • Without federal action, Internet pok- er likely will be approved and regulated on a state-by-state basis, like the lottery. Poker operators likely will face different SEE ONLINE POKER, PAGE 16 INSIDE TODAY IN RECOVERY | P. 6 Gov. Brian Sandoval says the recession is over but the state still faces challenges TOP TECH EXEC | INSIDE The annual awards honor Southern Nevada's best IT executives THE LIST | P. 22 Credit unions, ranked by assets