Slots appealing to children to be removed

Tuesday, Nov. 9, 1999 | 11:14 a.m.

Station Casinos Inc. announced plans to remove two slots from all of its Las Vegas casinos, fearing they appeal to children.

The company announced it is removing "Three Stooges," produced by Shuffle Master, and "Betty Boop," operated by Bally Gaming and Systems. Station owns and operates Palace Station, Boulder Station, Texas Station, Sunset Station and Wild Wild West hotel-casinos in Clark County.

Mark Brown, Station's executive vice president, said the company acted in the wake of increasing debate over the latest generation of themed slots and the appeal they could have for children.

"We're locals based, we have a full range of entertainment ... and a lot of families come onto our properties to take advantage of that," said Brown. "We have zero tolerance for minors on our floor, and we didn't want to do anything that would attract someone underage to gamble.

"The environment is different. (The industry) is under greater scrutiny than we were a few years ago."

The Three Stooges slots were removed from Sunset Station Monday morning. Since Betty Boop is a wide-area progressive, it can't be removed without Gaming Control Board approval, Brown said.

The Gaming Control Board is studying the issue of slots that may appeal to children.