Gambling regulators ban ‘kiddie slots’

Angie Wagner

Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000 | 3:13 a.m.

Elvis is in. "South Park" is out.

Nevada gambling regulators on Thursday adopted what they called landmark regulations to eliminate slot machines geared toward children.

"We are on the forefront of this issue," Nevada Gaming Commission Chairman Brian Sandoval said. "We're sending a message that Nevada is perfectly capable of regulating gambling in the state of Nevada."

Under the new rule, gamblers won't see a "South Park" theme. "Spiderman" is unlikely and Pokemon is out of the question. Decades-old cartoon flirt Betty Boop is OK. So is Elvis. That's because they've been around for 21 years or more prior to them showing up on a slot machine.

Monopoly and Wheel of Fortune themes can also stay. They are also grandfathered into the rules.

The debate over so-called "kiddie slots" began last year and intensified when companies such as Reno-based International Game Technology began introducing slot machines with television show themes such as "The Munsters" and "I Dream of Jeannie."

Some slot makers first thought the proposed rule was a Mickey Mouse idea, but that quickly changed. IGT and other slot manufacturers now support the rules, saying they don't want to promote underage gambling.

Even Republican presidential candidate John McCain weighed in on the issue. McCain, chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, has said he may hold hearings on the matter and ask the Federal Trade Commission for help.

But Nevada wanted to show it didn't need federal help.

"This is a remarkable and landmark day," Sandoval said.

Sara Beth Brown, general counsel for IGT, the world's largest slot machine manufacturer, said the new rules protect children as well as the industry.

"We don't cater to those under 21. We don't want to attract them," she said.

Brown said she didn't think banning certain slots would limit the company's creativity.

"It gives us a more precise standard before spending millions to obtain rights to a theme," she said.

Brown said just because Nevada won't allow certain slots doesn't mean other states would not. She said riverboat casinos, unlike Nevada casinos, are not open to those under 21 anyway, so the rules on kiddie slots may be different for them.

Under the rule, no slot can use a theme derived from or based on a product currently and primarily intended for, marketed to and used by people under 21. "The Munsters" and "I Dream of Jeannie" would have to go before regulators for approval.

But what about old characters that get revived like last year's "Tarzan" movie that grossed nearly $171 million? To be considered for approval, the character on slot machines would have to look like the "old" Tarzan, not the cartoon Tarzan.

"This is going to be the new wave of games. We had to put on the brakes a little bit," Sandoval said.