LAS VEGAS (AP) - Nevada gambling regulators have approved licenses for three companies to run Internet poker sites in the state.

The Nevada Gaming Commission on Thursday approved American Casino & Entertainment Properties LLC for an interactive gambling operator's license.

The company owns the Stratosphere hotel-casino and tower on the Las Vegas Strip.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports gambling officials were told ACEP plans to launch a free-play poker website that doesn't handle real money by the end of 2012, and a poker site accepting real-money bets in 2013.

The Las Vegas Sun reports slot machine maker WMS Industries Inc. of Waukegan, Ill., was also approved for a license as a service provider and interactive gaming system manufacturer.

Las Vegas-based PokerTrip Enterprises Inc. was approved for a license as an online poker marketer.

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