Bible gaming panel selection delayed

Wednesday, Feb. 5, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

Bill Bible's appointment to a federal gaming commission could be delayed until Monday, Gov. Bob Miller said today.

Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., issued a news release this week indicating President Clinton planned to name Bible, chairman of the State Gaming Control Board, to the nine-member commission by today.

But Miller, on his way home from Washington, D.C., said this morning the White House told him the Wednesday deadline might not be reached.

"I don't think it's going to happen today," Miller said. "I think it will happen Friday or Monday."

Miller, who sat in the president's box Tuesday night as Clinton delivered his State of the Union address, said the president reassured him at a reception afterward that Bible's appointment was forthcoming.

Bible said today he has not heard from the White House.

John Wilhelm, secretary-treasurer of the international Culinary Union, said he also has not been contacted about serving on the panel.

Wilhelm, the union's lead contract negotiator with casinos, is expected to be named the gaming panel by House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt, D-Mo.

Miller, who chaired a National Governors Association conference in Washington this week, said Clinton's three selections to the gaming commission will be smart choices.

"My belief is the president's selections are going to recognize the importance of people with gaming experience," he said. "Having people who have experience in the industry further enhances the balance of the commission."

Miller said a couple of people already have been appointed to the panel who believe gaming ought to be eliminated.

"That's not the stated purpose of the commission," he said. "The stated purpose is to study the effects of gaming."

Congress last year authorized the federal panel to conduct a two-year review of gambling's impact on America.

Bible's appointment to the commission has been talked about for four months.

In October, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., was assured by a top White House aide that Bible's selection was a "done deal."

The son of the late Nevada Sen. Alan Bible, he is regarded as the country's premier gaming regulator.

Late last year, Miller reappointed Bible to a third four-year term at the helm of the Gaming Control Board.