Casinos not shy about giving money to Lott, others

Monday, Sept. 25, 2000 | 9:57 a.m.

A report by the Washington-based Center for Responsible Politics lists Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., among the top 20 recipients of gambling industry money in the 2000 federal election cycle.

But gambling dollars make up only a small portion of the senator's nearly $3.8 million election-year bankroll.

The gambling industry's growing clout on Capitol Hill is reflected in the report.

The industry since 1990 has made $24.1 million in political contributions, with $14 million coming in the form of soft money, funds that can only be used to advocate an issue. Other contributions have included $3 million from political action committees, and $7 million in payments from industry executives.

About $18.5 million of the contributions came during the 1996, 1998 and 2000 election-year cycles, a period during which commercial casinos and American Indian tribal government gambling operations spread from Nevada and Atlantic City to 28 states.

The industry's political giving in 1990 amounted to only $361,169.

"This controversial industry contributes big political dollars from a relatively small donor pool, comprised of casinos, racetracks and Indian gaming operations," the Center for Responsible Politics said on its Web site, www.opensecrets.org.

"As gambling has become more geographically widespread, the industry's largesse to federal candidates and parties has risen dramatically," the report said.

But when compared to the 123 other industries profiled in the center's report, gambling companies are not very big players.

In the 2000 election cycle, during which gambling companies have contributed about $6 million, insurance companies $28.8 million; oil and gas consortiums $21.5 million; pharmaceutical companies $16 million; and banks $14.6 million.

"The numbers are revealing and, in a sense, humbling for the gamers," said Jon Ralston, a Las Vegas-based political analyst and columnist.

"The gamers may have become players on the Capitol scene and have acquired influence through lobbying prowess and selective use of donations," Ralston said. But in that arena, unlike their fiefdoms in Carson City and Las Vegas, they remain dwarfs."

Alan Feldman, vice president of corporate affairs for MGM Mirage, parent company for Beau Rivage in Biloxi and the industry's leading political contributor, agreed that in percentage of revenues, what the industry contributes is very small.

"And compared to the amounts given by other industries it's also very small," Feldman said. "It's only a sexy issue for a liberal group like the Center for Responsible Politics, which is out to demonize the industry."

Lott ranks 15th on the list of those benefitting most from gambling industry dollars, having so far received $23,000 toward his 2000 election campaign, according to the center's report.

Lott has been called upon by the industry to intercede in a number of issues, ranging from tax measures and cash transaction reporting laws to congressional efforts to outlaw wagering on college sports.

Harrah's Entertainment, which operates casinos in New Orleans and in Tunica County, is one of 21 companies ranked 10th on the list of individual contributors to Lott's campaign, each giving $10,000.

Casino companies are not on the list of top 20 industry contributors to Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., who is up for re-election in 2002. But Mirage Resorts is listed as one of 13 contributors giving $5,000 to the senior Mississippi senator.

U.S. Rep. Gene Taylor, who is up for re-election in November, is the only one of five Mississippi congressmen listed in the center's report as receiving casino contributions in the 2000 election cycle.

Gambling companies rank 17th on the list of top 20 industry contributors to the Bay St. Louis Democrat with total donations of $2,600, according to the report.

Casino companies are not listed among the top 20 individual contributors to Taylor's election bid.