Board splits on vote, but OKs IGT’s ‘Munsters’ slot machine

David Strow

Friday, Sept. 15, 2000 | 11:20 a.m.

A slot machine based on the television show "The Munsters" received approval for use in Nevada Thursday, despite the protests of a state gaming regulator that it would appeal to children walking through the state's casinos.

In a 2-1 vote, the state Gaming Control Board gave its approval to the slot, made by International Game Technology of Reno. The board is recommending that the slot be used only in "non-restricted" locations, which include casinos with table games and more than 15 slot machines.

"We thought it comported with requirements to changes in the regulation (dealing with restrictions on slot themes)," said board Chairman Steve DuCharme, who voted in favor of the slot with member Dennis Neilander. "IGT had proven it was not primarily marketed or intended for use by minors. It fell into the range of nostalgia games."

Member Bobby Siller, however, wasn't convinced. Of particular concern to him was the placement of "Eddie Munster," a child vampire character, on the slot machine's glass.

"That's something children can associate with," Siller said. "I was a little upset, and didn't agree with the theme. I would have hoped IGT would have been a little more responsible measuring or weighing what comes close to looking like a child's theme."

By IGT's own statistics, 40 percent of Munsters viewers are under the age of 18, Siller said.

"Even if it's close to looking like a child theme, we should err in favor of not having it," Siller said. "I'll be very consistent on this. If it comes close, I'm not going to support it."

The slot becomes the second considered in Nevada under the so-called "slots for tots" regulation introduced in Nevada in January. Under this regulation, slots based on themes primarily marketed at persons under the age of 21 are prohibited. The regulation gives regulators the ability to restrict the time and location where themed slots can be placed if there are concerns it would appeal to children.

In April, the Nevada Gaming Commission gave its approval to "The Addams Family," also marketed by IGT, with the restriction that the machines be used only in non-restricted locations. Siller had voted with the rest of the control board in favor of the Addams Family because of a restriction that prohibited placement of the slot in high-traffic areas of the casino, away from areas where children could be expected to walk by the slot.

Siller pushed for a similar placement restriction on the Munsters, but DuCharme and Neilander argued this wouldn't be enforceable because the control board didn't have the resources to place agents in the field to ensure compliance.

"That couldn't be adequately policed," DuCharme said.

Siller agreed with this, but decided he couldn't support the slot without the placement restriction.

Despite the board's recommendation for approval, Siller said he still believes the new regulations are working, since themes are being rejected by the board before reaching a public hearing. But Siller called for more self-policing by slot makers.

"Where does it all end?" Siller said. "Personally, I don't want to see things that come so close come before us, and I would hope the industry would not bring these things to us."

The commission must still vote to approve the Munsters before the slot can be used in Nevada.

In a separate action, the control board formally nominated former Las Vegas strip club owner Sam Cecola to the state's Black Book, the first step in banning Cecola from every casino in the state.

Cecola, former owner of Club Paradise and alleged organized crime figure, was accused by federal prosecutors of skimming more than $2.5 million from adult bookstores in Illinois and Wisconsin. He was convicted in September 1997 in Chicago federal court on one count of defrauding the Internal Revenue Service and five counts of filing false income tax returns, and sentenced to 46 months in prison. Cecola (pronounced suh-cola) was released in May and now lives in Barrington, Ill.

In addition to these felony convictions, the board was also concerned by Cecola's friendships with a number of organized crime figures, including Joey "The Clown" Lombardo, the No. 2 man in "The Outfit," a Chicago organized crime family. Cecola also has ties to Fred Pascente, a former Chicago police officer and alleged organized crime associate added to the Black Book last November.

Board investigators also presented evidence from the Las Vegas Metro Police Department that showed Cecola had been giving his wife directions on running Club Paradise by telephone while he was in prison. In order to keep Club Paradise open and licensed, Cecola transferred his majority ownership to his wife, Geralyn, and promised not to have any involvement in the club's operations.

The motivation for adding Cecola to the book comes from credit lines established by Cecola at various casinos in Las Vegas.

"He is a business partner, former partner or associate with numerous organized crime figures," Siller said. "His associates have been convicted of bribing public officials, money laundering and fraud.

"He's just not the type of person we want in our casinos. We believe he's a threat to gaming."

Cecola will have the right to contest his nomination during a hearing before the Nevada Gaming Commission at a later date. If the commission votes in favor of the board's nomination, Cecola would become only one of 36 people not permitted to enter any casino in the state.