Editorial: Industry titans rule the roost

Thursday, April 19, 2001 | 8:38 a.m.

For anyone who doubted that the gaming industry wields incredible clout with the Nevada Legislature, an Internet gambling bill should put to rest those uncertainties. It's not clear when -- or even if -- Congress will legalize Internet gambling, which would allow Nevada casinos to get into this controversial business. But if that day comes, the way the legislation is being drafted in Carson City would guarantee that only the largest casinos would be involved, since Internet casino websites would have to cough up a $1 million licensing fee every two years. Assemblyman Bernie Anderson, D-Sparks, said, "We're just not going to open this up for everyone." No kidding.

Assemblyman John Carpenter, R-Elko, called the legislation discriminatory. He noted aptly that no casinos in the rural county he represents could afford such high fees. There also is a legitimate concern that Internet gambling will take some customers away from struggling areas like Laughlin or even some of the casinos in the downtown area of Las Vegas that are having a tough time competing with the Strip megaresorts.

More importantly, it is dismaying that there hasn't been a genuine policy debate on whether Internet gambling should be allowed at all. Instead everyone has focused on getting Nevada out of the gate first. Does the state of Nevada really want to give its imprimatur to gambling that could target minors -- with relatively little regulatory control? It is hoped that the Senate shows more sense than the Assembly and starts asking hard questions about this troubling special-interest legislation.