Nevada gambling regulators are being asked to let manufacturers offer slot prizes in the form of pools by offering mega-lottery sized jackpots across state lines.

The proposal up for approval Thursday by the Nevada Gaming Commission could propel games offered by slot giants like Bally Technologies and IGT into what one analyst called “life-changing jackpot range.”

UNLV Center for Gaming Research chief David Schwartz says the companies are approaching the idea as a way to compete with interstate lotteries like the multi-million dollar Powerball.

A lawyer representing the companies says Nevada casinos already have Megabucks jackpots, and tribal casinos in California and some states already offer so-called wide area progressive slots.

Some states like New Jersey are awaiting the chance to link slot machine jackpots across state lines. You can read more about possible Nevada slot prizes pools at Mercury News.