Regulators OK limits on ‘Addams Family’ slot

Friday, April 28, 2000 | 11:11 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Working for the first time under its new regulation to regulate some cartoon figures from slot machines, the Nevada Gaming Commission Thursday approved the application of International Game Technology to distribute a themed progressive slot based on the popular television program "The Addams Family."

The machines will be permitted only in casinos with nonrestricted licenses for more than 15 slots machines and must be placed in areas not accessible to children.

"You will not be seeing these in grocery stores, drug stores, convenience stores, bars and taverns," said Commission Chairman Brian Sandoval. This was the first application approved under the "slots for tots" regulation aimed at restricting the themes on slot machines that would tend to attract children to play them.

"I'm proud of how this regulation worked," said Sandoval. He said IGT used an international expert in developing the theme. And "You would not be able to go into a store such as Toys R Us and find a toy that is associated with this."

However, there may be toys with this theme marketed over the Internet, he said.

The commission also ordered a plate be attached to each machine, saying that it is allowed only in nonrestricted locations. And a business person, who doesn't have an unrestricted license, could be punished if he or she allowed one in his or her store.

The item on the gaming commission agenda identified the application as coming from IGT and asking approval for a theme. It did not mention "The Addams Family." The company had sought to keep the name confidential from its competitors, but it was revealed in the news media earlier this week. And these slots will be linked from casino to casino, Sandoval said.

In January, the commission adopted a regulation giving it the power to reject any theme marketed towards children. The new rule also allowed the commission to approve the placement of the machines in the casino.

The commission also approved the application of financier Carl Icahn to buy the former Sunrise Casino on the Boulder Highway and rename it Arizona Charlie's East. Icahn paid $43 million in a bankruptcy sale for the property formerly owned by Michael and Rhonda Mona, who were unsuccessful in getting a license for gaming at the 300-room property.

There will be 826 slot machines and 13 table games at the casino to open the Tuesday before Memorial Day. This is Icahn's third casino in Clark County.

Also approved by the commission was the application of Swiss Casinos of America Inc. to buy back stock from its executives. The corporation is buying out Quinton Boshoff who had 300 shares and Brian McMullan who owned 600 shares. It is also purchasing 300 shares from John Tipton, who is remaining as president of the resort called Regent Las Vegas. It was formerly known as the Resort at Summerlin.