Reports: Nugget investigated for messenger betting

Tuesday, June 22, 1999 | 11:53 a.m.

The Reno Gazette-Journal and the Daily Sparks Tribune are reporting that the apparent violations involve paying somebody to place bets for another party, which is against the law.

The state Gaming Control Board is conducting the probe and Deputy Attorney General for Gaming A.G. Burnett told the Gazette-Journal a stipulation could be forthcoming in the messenger betting case.

There have been four similar cases in Nevada since 1990 - all in the south - and they have resulted in fines of $100,000-$200,000, the Gazette-Journal reported.

"We're cooperating in every regard," Nugget attorney Rick Davenport said.

The issue arose at an April meeting of the Gaming Control Board at which John Leon Ascuaga, the son of Nugget owner John J. Ascuaga, was seeking renewal of his license as executive vice president for gaming operations.

Board members said they wanted further investigation into parlay card betting by a California woman who had brought hundreds of cards to the club every week - and got paid by the bettors for placing their bets.

The younger Ascuaga said it was a business decision to take the bets, prompting Control Board member Bobby Siller to say it looked like "profit was more important to you than ethics."

Ascuaga took a leave from the Nugget last month and could not be reached for comment.

The Tribune said a transcript of the April 14 meeting showed that Ascuaga said he allowed a woman from San Jose, Calif. to bring in up to $30,000 in parlay cards each weekend from the Bay area.

Last September, according to the transcript, a newer employee at the Nugget's sports book pointed out to Ascuaga that the practice was illegal.

"At the time, we didn't take it as seriously as it should have been taken," Ascuaga said.