Columnist Jeff German: Governor, casino bosses turn around gambling commission’s LV agenda

Thursday, Oct. 22, 1998 | 11:55 a.m.

CASINO industry bigwigs from Las Vegas to Washington are breathing a sigh of relief today.

For the moment, some heavy-duty lobbying behind the scenes, primarily from Gov. Bob Miller, has brought the National Gambling Impact Study Commission back to its senses.

The nine-member panel no longer appears determined to embarrass Las Vegas next month when it holds its final hearing on the road here amid a horde of local and national reporters.

The latest draft of the commission's Las Vegas agenda includes two new panels that were previously omitted.

Another panel that intended to examine how Nevada casinos have created social and economic problems in California has been taken off the agenda, much to the delight of the governor and casino bosses.

In its place, the commission intends to hold a discussion on Nevada's world-renowned regulatory system, as well as a panel on how gambling affects employment in Las Vegas.

Both panels will give gaming regulators, casino and tourism officials and Culinary Union leaders a chance to tout Las Vegas as one of the country's biggest success stories.

"It strikes a good balance," said American Gaming Association President Frank Fahrenkopf, one of those working behind the scenes to head off what many thought was going to be a public relations disaster for the industry next month. The commission also plans panels on sports betting, youth gambling, neighborhood gambling and casino credit practices, all subjects that have potential to portray the industry in a bad light.

To counter the downside, the Culinary Union, expects to have a large say at the hearing. It's international president, John Wilhelm, is a member of the federal commission.

"We'll have a significant presence," Wilhelm said. "We are saying to our members, as I believe everybody in Las Vegas is saying, that the goal of the anti-gambling movement is to destroy the industry and along with it good jobs. Our approach is to show the positive side of good union jobs in the gaming industry."

Early indications are that top Nevada gaming regulators, Control Board Chairman Steve DuCharme and Gaming Commission Chairman Bill Curran, will get opportunities to address the federal panel. So will former Gaming Commission Chairman John O'Reilly. The Nevada Resort Association's super-sharp lawyer, Bob Faiss, also is tentatively listed as a speaker.

Commission Chairwoman Kay James, regarded by the casino industry as an opponent of gambling, also has agreed to allow commissioners to have dinner with Miller the first night of the Las Vegas meeting, which takes place Nov. 10-11. Miller plans to invite 40-50 of his friends from all walks of life in Las Vegas to join the feast.

Miller also will get a chance to talk to the commission on the opening day of the Las Vegas hearing. There, he will present a slick, pro-Las Vegas video being produced by R&R Advertising boss Billy Vassiliadis, the NRA's politically connected lobbyist and chief spinmeister.

"I'm pleased that they've taken several of our suggestions," Miller said "We're trying to give them an honest perception of why we're happy with the system in our state."

Members of Nevada's congressional delegation, who have been big commission critics, also have been given an opportunity to speak at next month's hearing.

Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., probably can take credit for that turnaround.

Earlier this month, Bryan asked the General Accounting Office, the investigative arm of Congress, to audit the commission amid concerns some panel members were promoting secret meetings and trying to stick it to gaming.

The GAO already has begun the probe, which likely will be on the gambling commission's mind when it comes to town.

Miller and company, meanwhile, have been so successful in their campaign of friendly persuasion behind the scenes that the industry's foes now have begun to cry foul.

On Wednesday, ex-City Councilman Steve Miller, the Nevada eyes and ears of the Rev. Tom Grey, gaming's most widely known national critic, e-mailed his boss to voice his concerns.

Miller told Grey, executive director of the Chicago-based National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling, that all of the people he suggested as witnesses long ago seem to have been snubbed by the commission's staff.

"I believe that the NGISC has been completely compromised for its LV hearings," Miller said. "It is obvious that the AGA spin doctors have succeeded in falsely convincing the nation that the deck is stacked against them on Nov. 10 and 11 ..."

Miller added: "I only hope the outside media can be made aware of this obvious PR sabotage by the AGA and that we still will be able to tell the truth about the Las Vegas behind the mirage, the Las Vegas being falsely used as the role model for extra-Nevada gambling expansion.

"If the nation knew the truth about this town and this state -- its political corruption, crumbling infrastructure, high taxes, crime, etc. -- then few cities would want to emulate us."

One well-placed casino insider, however, wasn't too impressed with Miller's words.

"This is the same Steve Miller that was recently fined by the Nevada Ethics Commission because of his cavalier use of the facts and his exploitation of the Ethics Commission and its process to conduct his own political vendettas," the insider said.

"I think that the national commission won't be fooled by this character and he'll be seen for the person that he is."