Former governor named to IGT board

Thursday, Jan. 20, 2000 | 11:35 a.m.

Reno-based International Game Technology today named former Nevada Gov. Bob Miller to its board of directors.

Miller, a Las Vegas attorney, replaces Claudine Williams, who retired from IGT's board Jan. 14. IGT will have another vacancy on its board in March, when Warren Nelson retires.

"Generally, he has a very broad knowledge of our state and good international exposure that came as a result of his time in office," said Ed Rogich, IGT's vice president of marketing. "We're excited because it strengthens our board."

Bill Eadington, director of the Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming at the University of Nevada at Reno, said he didn't see impropriety in naming a former governor who appointed a number of sitting gaming regulators to the board so soon after his leaving office.

He noted similar appointments occur frequently in Nevada, such as former Las Vegas Mayor Jan Jones' appointment as a vice president at Harrah's Entertainment Inc. and former Gaming Control Board Chairman Bill Bible moving to the Nevada Resort Association.

"The real issues lie with the (gaming control) board and the (gaming) commission, and the governor stepped back," Eadington said, explaining Miller's style was to let the board and commission take the lead in Nevada gaming policy.

IGT also didn't see any problem with what some critics have called a revolving door in which regulators become gaming officials.

"I don't think much thought was given to that aspect (political influence)," Rogich said. "The timing was more a result of the resignation of our board member and the availability of Gov. Miller."