Editorial: Cartoons, slots and Congress

Wednesday, Nov. 24, 1999 | 9:33 a.m.

The State Gaming Control Board started an inquiry in September to see whether new regulations should be adopted over concerns that some new slot machines, using images from the "Pink Panther" and the television show "South Park," may entice children. It was a responsible decision by state gaming regulators. While gambling in Nevada is restricted to only those who are 21 and older, slot machines can be found in many service-oriented businesses where you can also find children, including supermarkets, convenience stores and drug stores. While children aren't allowed to gamble, they can walk in the aisles adjacent to the slot machines, making it virtually impossible to ignore them. Casinos, too, run into this problem since children must walk past slot machines on their way to movie theaters or other nongaming entertainment that is intended for all family memb ers.

One concern has been that just as was the case with the tobacco industry, which used cartoon characters in ads to make smoking more appealing to teenagers, the gaming industry also could be accused of attempting to hook children at an early age, creating potential gamblers. Even though Nevada's state Gaming Control Board has launched its review, the Sun's David Strow reported Tuesday that gambling opponents -- including some former members of a national gambling commission -- are calling on Congress to conduct its own investigation as well. The request for a probe by Congress, ironically, was prompted by the news coverage of Nevada state regulators taking a pro-active stance on this issue.

Nevadans certainly can't be accused of failing to heed concerns over a practice that critics have dubbed "slots for tots." In addition to the Gaming Control Board's review of slot machine regulations, International Game Technology in September backed away from its efforts to license its "South Park" slot machine in Nevada after state regulators likened it to "Joe Camel." And Station Casinos, which operates casinos in Las Vegas aimed at local residents, announced earlier this month it would remove two slot machines -- "Three Stooges" and "Betty Boop" -- because of fears that the games would appeal to children.

The question, then, is whether Congress or the states should investigate this matter. Gambling isn't restricted to Nevada, and slot machines are becoming prevalent across the nation, so Congress ultimately may have an interest in looking at this issue. But an investigation by Congress now would be premature. Instead, Nevada gaming regulators should be given enough time to finish their review and determine what rules, if any, are needed governing the use of cartoon characters.