An agreement for Delaware and Nevada interstate online poker has been reached. State leaders signed a landmark agreement Tuesday that will join their states for web based poker, potentially increasing jackpots for residents who gamble while aiming to model how states might collaborate on an emerging economic opportunity.

A “Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement” signed by Gov. Brian Sandoval of Nevada and Gov. Jack Markell of Delaware establishes a legal framework for the first authorized interstate Internet gambling.

The deal aims to expand the marketplace for online poker in the small states that by themselves are not seen as having significant populations for Internet gambling to flourish. Nevada has legalized poker-only online for players logging on within the state, while Delaware has green-lit online slots, blackjack, roulette and poker.

Sandoval described the agreement as a marriage of high tech and gaming, embraced by states seeking growth. He said the day is near when someone in Ely, Nevada, might face a gambler from Seaford, Del., across a virtual poker table, “in a fair game and structured environment.”

“We are standing in a moment of history today,” the Nevada governor said at a signing ceremony held in a state office building in Wilmington, Del., before an audience of Delaware legislators and state officials. “Nevada first passed gaming in 1931. I consider this a landmark intersection in the road of gaming history.”

The governors could not say when interstate online poker would go live, as technology providers now must harmonize site platforms in the two states.

Officials said in Nevada the WSOP.com site operated by a Caesars Entertainment subsidiary might have an early leg up as its technology partner is Gibraltar-based 888 Holdings, which also provides the technology platform for Delaware’s websites.

888 Holdings CEO Brian Mattingley said in an interview that his company “was delighted” by the agreement between Nevada and Delaware. He said the company is working with Nevada gaming regulators to launch an 888 branded website for online poker.

“This is a very strategic move that provides a much better gaming experience for customers,” Mattingley said. “It gives the smaller states much more liquidity and I can only assume the governors will reach out to other states in order to increase the network.”

Markell was reluctant to predict the amount of economic benefit from the partnership.

“We’ll see over time, it’s got to grow,” Markell said. “This is a brand new concept. It ought to be additive because it means there will be more liquidity, it will be more interesting for Delaware players when there are more people to participate with.”

Read more about Nevada interstate online poker when you visit the Review Journal.