State Assembly panel approves bill authorizing private gambling salons

Tuesday, May 15, 2001 | 10:55 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The Assembly Judiciary Committee on Monday unanimously approved a bill allowing big Las Vegas casinos to set up private gambling rooms to attract international ultra-high-rollers.

The vote came after Dennis Neilander, chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, assured committee members that these private games could be regulated.

Assemblyman Tom Collins, D-North Las Vegas, wondered whether Senate Bill 283 would allow a "floating dice game" to move from room to room in a hotel-casino.

Neilander said casinos would have to follow strict regulations, setting up one room with high-powered surveillance cameras that could read the words on marker slips. A board agent would be present to monitor the activity.

Casinos would be required to notify the board when one of these players wants to set up a private game.

"I'm comfortable from the regulatory side," Neilander said. He said it would take four to five months after the bill is passed to develop regulations.

Nevada's law says the gambling must be in public, unless an exception is granted by the Legislature. The board has the authority to grant exemptions for special events. Neilander, however, does not consider this a special event.

Daniel Wade, vice president at the MGM MIRAGE, said his resort might use the private salon six to eight times a year.

Assemblywoman Genie Ohrenschall, D-Las Vegas, wondered whether the private rooms would have a dress code. Bill Timmins, president and chief operating officer of the Aladdin, said it would depend on the customer.

European casinos did have dress codes, but times have changed. He said he doubted there would be a dress requirement for a customer from the Far East who comes to gamble at 3 or 4 a.m.

The only requirement for entry would be to have a hefty bank account or a high credit rating.

The bill goes to the floor of the Assembly for a vote later this week.