Panel recommends five slots per supper club

Judy Odierna

Tuesday, April 1, 2003 | 9:38 a.m.

A proposal to add slot machines to restaurants classified as supper clubs in Las Vegas has been modified to allow a maximum of five machines at those establishments.

The original bill would have allowed up to 10 slot machines at any supper club with more than 5,000 square feet of usable floor space and five machines at supper clubs with less than 5,000 square feet. Five would now be the maximum for all.

Supper clubs are restaurants, such as Outback Steakhouse, that have small bars but derive most of their income from meals. Taverns make most of their money from liquor sales and are currently allowed to have up to 15 slot machines.

The modification was presented to the city's Recommending Committee on Monday, which sent the matter to the City Council with no recommendation. The item will come before the City Council on April 16.

Councilman Lawrence Weekly said he felt the matter warranted further discussion among the council. Councilman Michael Mack abstained from the matter because his brother-in-law owns a tavern and could be affected by the proposal.

"What works in one area of town doesn't necessarily work in another area of town," Weekly responded to remarks that other municipalities have similar bills.

Weekly isn't the only member of the council with concerns. At a public hearing in March, Councilman Michael McDonald noted that supper club representatives said they would not ask for gaming when the supper club ordinance was created.

The Nevada Tavern Association has also opposed the bill, saying it would hurt their profits, and made the same argument on Monday.

Ron Drake, president of the Nevada Tavern Association, however, seemed agreeable to the revised version.

"Five machines gives them a lot to work with," he said. "Ten machines makes them a tavern."

Drake also expressed concerns that suggested he did not want the bill to have been the result of a request from a particular supper club.

"I don't see Outback or Chili's here," he said. "I do see someone who approached the city awhile back."

Through Drake didn't mention any names, Houlihan's at 1951 N. Rainbow Blvd. was pointed out as one of those establishments at the public hearing.

Attorney Thomas Amick, representing Houlihan's, also spoke on Monday and said gaming in other jurisdictions has not hurt taverns.

"Supper clubs have to act like a restaurant because that's what they are," he said. "The city will also have discretion in this. It doesn't have to grant the supper club the gaming (by taking each on a case by case basis)."

There are currently 230 taverns in the city of Las Vegas and 34 supper clubs. Supper clubs must have a minimum of 125 seats and are required to be 400 feet away from a church or school. Taverns must be 1,500 feet from schools, churches and each other.

A supper club pays $40,000 for its first liquor license and a tavern pays $60,000. A supper club also pays a $1,600 annual fee to retain the license while a tavern pays $2,400.

In 1996 Las Vegas decided not to include slot machines in a new ordinance that eased restrictions for supper clubs.