Gaming contributions triple

Friday, June 27, 1997 | 11:17 a.m.

The contributions, called "soft money" because they were funneled through political organizations rather than given directly to candidates, totaled $8.67 million in the past decade, according to a report from Common Cause.

Donors didn't discriminate between the two political parties - Democrats received $4.6 million and Republicans $4.1 million. The top three recipients over the decade were Nevada's Democratic Sens. Dick Bryan and Harry Reid, and Republican Rep. John Ensign.

Ensign ranked high despite running only two campaigns. Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., who has run only one campaign, ranked fifth.

"The pattern of giving by gambling interests shows just how soft money is targeted specifically to affect legislation and policy," said Ann McBride, president of Common Cause.

The report, "Gamblers Unanimous," comes at an inopportune time for the casino industry as Congress seeks revenue sources in cobbling together a tax bill.

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribe of Connecticut was the top gaming contributor, giving $974,625 from 1988-1996. Interface Group Inc./Sands Hotel, at $569,250, was second; followed by Mirage Resorts Inc., $554,000; and Bally Entertainment Corp., $470,905.

Frank Fahrenkopf, president of the American Gaming Association, said the report is misleading because it lumps Indian gaming, lotteries and unions with mainstream casinos. He said there was a dramatic increase in soft money contributions overall last year after a Supreme Court ruling loosened restrictions.

"If you look at the steel and automotive industry, you would see the same increase taking place," Fahrenkopf said.

Ensign, who collected $104,375 through 1996, said it should not come as a surprise that the gaming industry has been increasing its contributions given its vulnerability to new taxes.

"If someone is coming after you, you have to protect yourself," he said. Ensign's family owns casinos in Nevada.

Despite being the top recipient of gaming money with $106,197, Bryan said he isn't beholden to the industry. He said he opposes gaming's expansion to other states.

"Gaming is Nevada's principal industry and this covered my two election cycles, so it should not be surprising that I'm at the top of the list," he said.

Bernie Horn, a spokesman for the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling said House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt, D-Mo., at $66,255, was the fourth leading recipient behind Reid, who got $96,670. Gephardt finished ahead of Gibbons, who got $50,250.