Las Vegas business news briefs

Friday, March 14, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

Local

* LV 40TH IN TELECOMMUTING -- When it comes to working from home, Las Vegas ranks 40th out of the 300 largest metropolitan areas, according to a survey by Money magazine in its April issue. "Working at home is a great way to spend more time with your family, avoid an ugly commute or simply get more work done in less time," the magazine reported. In determining the ranking, Money magazine combined the latest economic and quality of life data with research from PC World magazine on the factors that make life easier and more lucrative for telecommuters. Money magazine's No. 1 place for telecommuting: San Francisco.

* ALLIANCE MAY APPEAL JUDGMENT -- Alliance Gaming Corp. said it may appeal a New York Supreme Court ruling ordering its Bally Gaming subsidiary to pay WMS Industries $4.8 million plus interest and costs for terminating a proposed merger agreement between WMS and Bally Gaming. Alliance acquired slot manufacturer Bally Gaming last year. Alliance said making the payment wouldn't have a "material impact" on its financial position, operating results or cash flow.

Nevada

* CASH RULES TO CHANGE -- A Nevada rule on cash accounting -- that has cost casinos about $2.2 million in fines -- is being changed to make reporting easier for some casinos and more detailed for others. The changes to the Nevada Gaming Commission's heavy enforced Regulation 6A, to take effect May 1, also will reveal some casino customers' names to federal tax authorities. The rule was established in 1985 to prevent laundering of money through casinos, and also as an aid to taxpayer information gathering. It's being updated because federal officials requested Nevada comply with rules in place at other states' casinos. Nevada casinos now will have to provide the customer's name on a currency transaction report on all cash payouts greater than $10,000 even if they can prove the payout is from winnings.

Briefcase

International Gaming Business Exposition producer Ullo International will donate eight $1,000 scholarships to UNLV during this year's expo, which runs Tuesday through Thursday at the Sands Convention Center. ... Mark Brandenburg, co-owner of the smallest and oldest gaming property in downtown Las Vegas -- the Golden Gate hotel-casino -- will speak at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the monthly meeting of the Casino Management Association at the Luxor Hotel & Casino. For more information, call CMA President Marc Weiswasser at 593-5477. ... Minneapolis-based Shuffle Master Inc. said it has bought the game library of Dr. Mark Yoseloff and hired him to help its new-games development efforts.

To contact the SUN business news desk, call 259-4083 or e-mail mike@lasvegassun.com