Gaming Commission targeted by satirical newspaper

Thursday, Aug. 24, 2000 | 10:45 a.m.

"The Onion," a satirical national newspaper, targeted the Nevada Gaming Commission Wednesday with a mock story claiming commissioners had lobbied Congress for $20 million in loans "that the group swears to pay back Friday."

The spoof story quoted fictional commission Chairman "Freddy Loquasto" as saying the commission needed the cash to buy some "hot new Arabian Nights dollar slots," and had the commissioner putting up his wristwatch as collateral. The story was posted at the Onion's website at theonion.com.

"Seriously, guys, we'll pay you right back," the story read. "And I mean, like, double."

The story also contained a spoof quote from longtime gaming industry opponent Frank Wolf saying the commission had "squandered" $4.3 million in school-lunch funds in May on new shuttle buses for the Aladdin hotel-casino.

A touched-up photo showed a Nevada gaming "official" "pawning a Harrah's slot machine after a wild, three-day budget-allocating binge."

"Contrary to what some people would have you believe, we only spend our money on things that are necessary to the overall health and success of Nevada's gaming industry," "Loquasto" said in the spoof story. "So, come on, House Appropriations Committee, help us out here: Baby needs a new pair of giant gold sphinxes."