Nevada has long been the mecca of gambling, with its casinos filled to the brim with blinking games, whirring roulette wheels and the shuffling noises of thousands of decks of cards. But who needs all that noise now that you can gamble online legally in the state? It’s the first state to open its virtual doors to legal gamblers, starting today.

While other states like Delaware and New Jersey have passed legislation that will eventually allow online gambling, Nevada has the first Internet hand to be dealt with the UltimatePoker.com, as of noon today.

Only in-state gamblers can partake, reports the Reno Gazette-Journal. Users can sign on 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but must be at least 21 and physically within the state’s boundaries before they can play. Ultimate Poker says it has “complicated and sophisticated” software to enforce these rules.

It remains to be seen what kind of money there is to be made from online gambling, but the people behind Ultimate Poker sound optimistic.

“Being the first is a big deal. It’s important for Nevada. Nevada is the first to go live,” said the company’s chairman.

First legal online poker site launches today in Nevada [Reno Gazette-Journal]

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