Rules on problem gambling approved

John Wilen

Monday, Nov. 2, 1998 | 11:06 a.m.

The Nevada Gaming Commission moved quickly at a special meeting this morning to approve new regulations designed to combat problem gambling.

At a special telephonic meeting attended by gaming commissioners, industry representatives and responsible gaming advocates, the commission voted unanimously to approve the new rules.

"What we're doing is we're asking for compliance from each licensee," said Commissioner Augie Gurrola, attending the meeting telephonically from Chicago.

The new rules require gaming establishments to post problem gambling hotline telephone numbers and brochures describing where compulsive gamblers can get help in gaming areas.

Casinos and taverns must allow patrons to "self- limit" their access to check-cashing privileges, casino credit and direct-mail promotional materials. And operators of gaming establishments must offer basic problem gambling awareness training programs for all employees who interact with the gaming public.

The new rules come after months of special hearings and largely at the prompting of former gaming control board chairman Bill Bible. Widely supported by the industry, they have been criticized as window-dressing thrown up just as a federal panel studying the impact of gambling on society is about to visit Las Vegas.

At a Gaming Commission meeting last week, industry representatives disputed any view of the new regulations as less than serious. Many in the industry started problem gambling awareness programs long before regulators took up the issue, the representatives argued.

"(The industry) did that a long time ago," said Bob Faiss, a lawyer representing the Nevada Resort Association. "A number of the leading companies from Nevada didn't wait for any urging from government."

Industry representatives regularly cite the example of companies like Harrah's Entertainment and Boyd Gaming as leading the industry down the path of responsible gaming. James Butler, chairman of the NRA's responsible gaming task force and vice president and general counsel of Harrah's Entertainment, argued that Harrah's has been involved in the fight against problem gambling since 1986.

"As the industry has matured, it's become more responsible," said Butler.

Two weeks ago, the Nevada Retail Gaming Association announced its four members would post a toll-free problem gambling hotline number on every machine they operate in the state, and would put problem gambling brochures in all gaming areas. NRGA members operate 96 to 98 percent of the state's gaming machines on slot routes.

The Nevada Council on Problem Gambling is working with the NRA and several gaming companies to develop a comprehensive training program for gaming employees. However, gaming regulators have said putting employees through such a comprehensive program is not necessary to meet the intent of the law.

Gaming Control Board officials had worried that imposing the training requirement on all operators would hurt smaller establishments with limited training resources. But the Commission today decided the requirement will apply to all operators, no matter how small. Several smaller operators contacted last week said they had no objection to the plan.

The training and self-limitation provisions of the new rules go into effect March 31. All other provisions go into effect Jan. 1.