A Senate committee voted Monday for a bill allowing Internet gambling in Nevada. The bill now goes to the full senate, where it is expected to pass, then heads to the governor's office.

The legislation will enable Nevada gaming regulators to proceed with online wagering in the state as long as they can ensure security and legality. Should that happen, hotel-casinos with unregulated gaming licenses would be able to apply for an interactive gaming license. The license would carry a $500,000 application fee and a 6.25 percent tax on gross revenue.

"We need to have things in place if the federal government says it’s legal," said Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas. "It’s a considerable source of revenue for the state."

The bill passed the Senate Judiciary Committee with only one dissenting vote.

State legislators have been cautious with this legislation, and want to ensure that they are not opening themselves up to criticism in the future. Committee chairman Mark James noted, "We're taking a leap of faith and I, personally, don't want to get burned by a leap of faith."

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