Outsider brings statistical strength to gaming panel

David Strow

Wednesday, Sept. 1, 1999 | 11:18 a.m.

In gaming circles, Radha Chanderraj might be considered the ultimate outsider.

The 45-year-old certified public accountant gambles little, preferring to frequent casinos only when company is in town.

"They're too crowded for me," she said.

She's had no professional experience in the industry, with most of her accounting experience coming in the medical field. She currently is in charge of the finances for the Las Vegas cardiology practice of her husband, Dr. Raj Chanderraj. She has never held public office, and she received her U.S. citizenship just 12 years ago.

But as of Tuesday, she became one of the top gaming regulators in one of the most powerful gaming jurisidictions in the world, when Gov. Kenny Guinn named her to the Nevada Gaming Commission. Guinn said little in announcing her nomination, proclaiming only that "her experience and accounting background will serve the commission well."

Chanderraj replaces Bill Curran, who served 10 years on the board, including a stint as chairman, before retiring earlier this summer. Her first hearing as a commissioner will be at the Gaming Commission's meeting on Sept. 23 in Las Vegas. But she's optimistic that her outsider's perspective will add a valuable voice to the commission.

"I do think that is going to be a strength, not being part of the gaming industry," Chanderraj said. "I hope that's going to be a strength."

Chanderraj grew up in Bombay, India, receiving a law degree from the University of Bombay. There, she said, gambling is confined to informal card games among friends.

She moved to Las Vegas in 1981, after her husband received a fellowship at a local hospital. After unsuccessfully trying to get her law degree recognized in the United States, she settled down to raise her children. She became an American citizen in 1987. Starting the next year, she began taking CPA courses at UNLV and received CPA certification in 1993.

Chanderraj said she became interested in the gaming commission job after reading that Guinn was looking for a woman CPA to fill Curran's position. She forwarded her resume to Guinn in late May through an intermediary friend -- she wouldn't say who -- and interviewed with the governor's chief of staff and legal counsel. Guinn told her she had received the job Friday.

"I thought it was a good opportunity to apply and serve the state of Nevada," she said.

Scott Scherer, Guinn's legal counsel, said Chanderraj was recommended by several people including Dr. Ike Kahn, a member of the governor's transition team.

State records show Raj Chanderraj donated $2,000 to Guinn's campaign in June 1998. That's the maximum donation allowed by law.

Radha Chanderraj's expertise lies in the statistical, rather than the political arena. She performed due diligence services for a subsidiary of Sierra Health Services several years ago, and hopes to bring her financial knowledge to the commission as it analyzes a growing number of mergers and acquisitions.

As far as gaming issues go, Chanderraj is revealing few positions at this point, saying she needs to learn more about the industry first, though she expressed general support for the industry's impact on the Nevada economy.

She did say that she supported the commission's recent efforts to try to stem the expansion of slot machines into neighborhood establishments by cutting back on the types of businesses that can apply for restricted gaming licenses -- a measure that was met with heavy opposition when it was approved by a split vote by the commission in July.

"It's good not to have it everywhere we go," she said.

She also briefly addressed problem gambling, saying that she supported industry efforts to educate about the problem, but didn't indicate that she supported stricter measures.

"We should deal with it as we deal with other social problems," she said.

Chanderraj declined to address other issues, saying she still had a lot to learn before taking over as a gaming commissioner.

"I'm taking a wait-and see attitude," she said. "I'll learn from the other commissioners, and do the best I can on the commission.

"I think gaming has been very good (for Nevada) ... as long as it's regulated well."