Yesterday's post on iPhones generated email to the editorial staff of Show Me Gaming. Many of these emails questioned the use of cell phones on Missouri riverboat gaming casino floors. Again we turned to MGC Gaming Enforcement Manager Les Hahn for his input:
Currently,
patrons can use their cell phones as much as they want on the gaming floor away
from card games. There are currently no current or proposed changes to state
regulations specifically regarding electronic devices; however, it is an area of
concern which the Commission has been actively monitoring for several years and
will continue to monitor. Currently, if a cell phone or other consumer
electronic device is used to cheat at a gambling game or includes software
designed to provide an illegal advantage at a gambling game, it is a "cheating
device" under state statute.
That being
said, phones are one of the many consumer electronic devices which may be used
to gain an illegal advantage in card games. Bluetooth and other wireless
technologies can render almost any device capable to two way communication with
another device. MGC sent a letter of guidance to all casino General Managers
and Compliance Officers in 2007 recommending they take reasonable precautions to
protect their games from cheating devices. Each casino has a policy in place.
Most do not allow cell phones or PDAs to be used while playing a hand.
Hope this answers the questions readers have. Thanks to Les Hahn.
