Editorial: Slots, cartoon characters

Tuesday, Sept. 28, 1999 | 9:18 a.m.

The Nevada Gaming Commission did the right thing on Thursday when it decided to hold hearings to see if regulations are needed to ban cartoon-themed slot machines. Commissioners are worried that slot machines prominently displaying cartoon characters, ranging from the "Pink Panther" to the controversial television show "South Park," could start appearing in places that children visit. "When I'm in a grocery store with my two kids and they see that," Commission Chairman Brian Sandoval said, referring to a cartoon-themed slot machine, "they're going to go right to it. That concerns me. This is an issue ripe for consideration."

Gambling is almost inescapable in Nevada. Slots are allowed in supermarkets, convenience stores and drug stores. Even though these gaming areas are restricted to those who are 21 and older, the fact is they still are adjacent to aisles where children have access. So when buying necessities, such as food, it's virtually impossible for children to ignore slot machines. Even casinos are faced with this to a more limited degree since parents and their children typically must run a gantlet of slot machines to get to movie theaters or other noncasino entertainment designed for families.

The slot makers say the machines are designed for adults and not children, but this is an issue that should be taken seriously, considering that for years the tobacco industry had been accused of using cartoon characters in its advertising to lure children to smoke. As part of an overall settlement with the states last year, tobacco companies finally agreed to stop using cartoon characters in their ads. It wouldn't be too surprising, then, especially in light of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allows casinos to advertise on television, that the next battleground for industry foes will be over the marketing of gambling, including the use of cartoon characters in slot machines.

As the Sun's David Strow reported last week, the debate already has affected one slot machine maker. International Game Technology last week withdrew its application to license its "South Park" slot machine in Nevada after state regulators suggested it might be akin to "Joe Camel." IGT, however, may try to sell the game in New Jersey and Mississippi since state regulators there haven't expressed any qualms. Nevada is moving in the right direction in its investigation -- failure to seriously address the issue would be myopic and a recipe for federal intervention.