Shortfall reported at Horseshoe

Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2002 | 11:09 a.m.

Nevada gaming regulators Tuesday night ordered Binion's Horseshoe to shut down some casino games because the downtown Las Vegas casino's bankroll had fallen below the level required to pay off gamblers.

The move is likely to fuel further speculation that the casino, which has been involved in several financial legal disputes, is in financial straits.

Casino owner Becky Behnen has repeatedly denied that the casino is having financial difficulties. Behnen declined immediate comment this morning.

But state Gaming Control Board Chairman Dennis Neilander today acknowledged that the casino is having problems.

Financial troubles prompted the board to step up the monitoring process at Binion's, making agents aware of the shortfall, he said.

The Gaming Control Board declined to specify the number of slot machines and table games shut down, as well as the casino's bankroll requirement.

The casino was open this morning and while dozens of older-looking slot machines remained shut down, the majority of slots and table games appeared to be in use or available for play.

Casinos are required to keep enough money on hand to pay off multiple, simultaneous jackpots.

Bankroll problems don't happen often, Neilander said. About eight months ago, agents turned off machines at Vacation Village for similar reasons. The bankrupt Vacation Village later closed entirely and was sold.

Neilander said he wasn't immediately aware of any previous instance in which agents have shut down machines at the Horseshoe.