Nevada Supreme Court dismisses lawsuit over slot machine promotion

Friday, Aug. 24, 2001 | 11:08 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a Las Vegas man's lawsuit complaining that two of the Station casinos violated state regulations in 1998 by removing the poker machines that advertised million-coin progressive jackpots.

The court said Stanley Shaftel should have filed his complaint first with the state Gaming Control Board.

"District courts have no authority to regulate gaming establishments, and are not permitted to intrude into gaming administration, control, supervision or discipline," said the court in its unanimous decision.

The court said if the control board hands down an adverse ruling, than the individual has 20 days to file suit. It said Shaftel wrote a letter to the control board but he never disclosed if he received an answer.

Shaftel claimed the removal of the nickel, quarter and dollar poker machines at Texas Station and Palace Station violated state regulations by defrauding players by improperly distributing the accumulated amounts displayed on the progressive jackpot machines "into minimal promotions instead of jackpots."