Unpaid markers reduce tax receipts
Wednesday, March 14, 2001 | 11:15 a.m.
CARSON CITY -- Slow collection of casino markers has contributed to lower tax receipts this year, the chairman of the state Gaming Control Board said today.
Tax revenue this fiscal year is running 2.3 percent lower than it was a year ago and could mean a $33 million shortfall in the state budget if the trend continues.
Board Chairman Dennis Neilander told the Assembly Ways and Means Committee there has been an increase in credit play of 8 percent in recent months. Collection of those markers has not caught up.
The industry, Neilander said, does a good job in collecting its gaming debts; about 4 to 6 percent is not collected. He said he hoped there is a "high possibility of collecting" the present outstanding debts, which would mean higher tax revenues.
Neilander was questioned by Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, about the future for the gaming economy. He pointed to three fights scheduled in March in Las Vegas, positive visitor volume and strong hotel occupancy and convention bookings as indications of continued economic health.
The latest Nevada Gaming Abstract publication for 2000 showed casinos had bad debt expense of $248.8 million. That does not include write-offs for rooms, food and beverages.
On another topic, Neilander said the board recently raised the background investigative fees charged those seeking a license. That money is going to finance higher pay in the agency.
The chairman said the staff of the Control Board has "gotten 11 percent below the classified employee" pay in other agencies and there has been an "excessive turnover rate."
Gov. Kenny Guinn has recommended a 9 percent pay increase for all unclassified workers this year, 4 percent next year. Under the gaming proposal there would be a $5,000 "credential payment" to employees such as auditors, attorneys and other professionals.
Neilander said many of the employees want to stay but "people are throwing $15,000 at them to jump ship."
archive
- Most Read
- Discussed
- Most E-mailed
- Wonder drug for men no success story
- CityCenter: One man’s concept of a real city
- Man, 18, arrested for DUI in crash that kills woman, 24
- Notebook: UNLV prospect Polee likes what he sees, and hears, at the Mack
- Man fatally shot during robbery attempt of woman
- Bellfield tolls again for UNLV in 76-71 win over Louisville
- Pitino doesn’t consider loss to UNLV a total loss
- Palin has a way of bringing out the anger in people
- The ball’s in Reid’s court: Passing the public option
- Binion’s to close all 365 rooms, lay off 100 workers
Blogs
The Kats Report
Planet Hollywood's Thomas McCartney headed for Tropicana
Elsewhere
LV woman robs Kentucky strip club, police say (1 Comment)
Las Vegas Sands' Hong Kong IPO flops
The Kats Report
Monday List: Top 13 Moments and Observations From Thanksgiving Weekend (2 Comments)
Politics: Ralston's Flash
Tarkanian: Reid is liberal, out of touch, rude, poisonously partisan and a know-it-all (5 Comments)
The Kats Report
Barry Manilow off to Paris: Two-year deal starts March 5 at Le Theatre des Arts (7 Comments)
Politics: Ralston's Flash
Ensign survives radio interview with no follow-ups; partial transcript below (3 Comments)
Calendar »
- 30 Mon
- 1 Tue
- 2 Wed
- 3 Thu
- 4 Fri
-
DJ showdown at Prive
Prive | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Rok Box with Mike Carbonell at Tabu
Tabú Ultralounge | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
DJ Riz at Jet
Jet | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Football specials at Diablo's
Diablos Cantina
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Technorati










