Columnist Jeff German: People lining up to praise Bible

Saturday, Aug. 22, 1998 | 5:18 a.m.

FRIENDS, colleagues, even adversaries describe Bill Bible as a man of great intelligence, integrity and political insight.

It's no wonder that, upon word of his pending retirement as the state's top gaming regulator, Bible is being praised universally as one of the state's finest-ever bureaucrats and inside game players.

Bible has held the reins of the state Gaming Control Board for nearly 10 years, longer than anyone in Nevada history. He will be remembered as the man who was the casino industry's watchdog during its greatest period of growth and gave it legitimacy in the eyes of Wall Street.

During Bible's tenure -- as megaresort after megaresort has sprung up on the Las Vegas Strip and legalized gambling has spread to communities across the country -- Nevada's regulatory system has become a model for the nation.

Much of that is attributed to the chairman's stern, but steady, hand at the helm. He is regarded as a tough, but compassionate, administrator with a good sense of humor and a soft spot in his heart for the little guy.

His career in state government began in 1971, when he was hired as a top budget aide in the administration of Gov. Mike O'Callaghan. Bible went on to serve as Gov. Richard Bryan's budget director from 1983 to 1988, when he left to run Bryan's successful Senate campaign.

In 1989, in one of Gov. Bob Miller's first appointments, Bible was named to head the Control Board. It turned out to be one of Miller's best decisions as governor. Miller last week credited Bible for being a "stable influence" over the casino industry at a very critical time.

Bible's career in state government has allowed him to develop a rare combination of expertise in fiscal matters, politics and gaming that should help him write his own ticket in private business after he steps down Sept. 18. No matter what new career he chooses, Bible is expected to continue being a major player in Nevada politics.

For the moment, Bible will devote more attention to ensuring that the casino industry gets a fair shake when the National Gambling Impact Study Commission comes to town in November. Bible plans to step up his presence as a member of the panel after he retires.

As the son of a United States senator, Bible got a taste of politics early in life growing up in Washington. It has served him well throughout his years of government service.

His most celebrated political battle took place with Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa.

In 1995, Bible began to express concern about the quality of legal representation his office was getting from Del Papa. At one point, he considered asking the Legislature for permission to hire his own lawyers.

Del Papa appeared to retaliate by dragging Bible into an investigation of one his electronics experts, Ron Harris, who ended up being charged with slot cheating.

The scandal actually was uncovered by Bible and his agents, and it was Bible who pressured the attorney general into prosecuting Harris. But somehow, the attorney general's investigation got sidetracked into taking a secret look at Bible.

A former Del Papa investigator recently filed suit against Del Papa, alleging he was asked to conduct an intelligence probe of Bible. Del Papa has strongly denied the accusation, but a judge recently allowed the investigator, Mike Anzalone, to continue pursuing the suit in court. The final chapter in Bible's battle with Del Papa has yet to be played out.

One of the more difficult times for Bible at the Control Board came early in his term, when it was learned that his acting enforcement chief, Ron Hollis, had allowed an informant, Matis Marcus, to conduct an illegal bookmaking operation for three years without the knowledge of the three board members. At one point, Hollis staged a phony raid to conceal his ties to Marcus.

But again, it was Bible who pushed hard to discipline Hollis and prosecute Marcus. Hollis resigned under pressure.

Over the years, Bible has fought some epic battles with the casino industry. He tried to persuade the industry that its decision to launch projects outside Nevada eventually would hurt Las Vegas. He also opposed gaming's push to win tax breaks at the 1997 Legislature.

In an effort to protect the industry from criminal elements, Bible has taken steps to add more names to the Black Book of undesirables banned from casinos. He also has tangled from time to time with such colorful gaming figures as Bob Stupak and Ted Binion.

Lately, the chairman has put heat on the industry to heighten awareness of problem gambling and tighten its controls over sports betting to stop the flow of illegal wagers into Nevada.

As he contemplates stepping down next month, Bible has persuaded the governor to appoint his good friend, board member Steve DuCharme, in his place as chairman. DuCharme has vowed to carry out Bible's agenda, saying the transition will be "seamless."

For Nevada and the casino industry, that's nice to hear.