Perkins proposes casino location limits

Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2004 | 9:46 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, wants to expand the required distance between a casino and a school or church.

"Nobody wants a casino close to a school," said Perkins, who asked last week for a bill for the 2005 Legislature to increase the minimum distance allowed between a gaming establishment and schools and churches.

There's been concern by both citizens and casinos about this issue, Perkins said Tuesday.

He said the current required distance of 1,500 feet may not be enough. It's unclear if the measurement is from the casino itself r the edge of the property line to the school or church, he said.

Right now he said he doesn't have a figure in mind. "We'll see what the community is desirous of," he said.

Citing rapid growth of new casinos and schools in Clark County, he said schools come in late and try to locate near an existing casino.

"There needs to be better planning," he said.

A 1997 state law sets up the casino location restriction for Clark County. Outside the Las Vegas Boulevard gaming corridor, the rural Clark County gaming zone and a gaming enterprise district, a casino could not be located within 1,500 feet from the aproperty line of a public school, private school or building used primarily for religious services.

Those who want to open casinos have to petition the county, city or town to create a gaming enterprise district and would have to show that the proposed casinos will not adversely affect a school or church whose property line is within 2,500 feet of the property line of the casino. A three-fourth vote of the governing body is required to designate the location of a gaming enterprise district.

A state regulation says the Nevada Gaming Commission may deny a license to a casino if it locates in the "immediate vicinity of churches, schools and children's public playgrounds." It does not list a specific distance. The regulation applies statewide.

The regulation says, however, that the commission may consider all "relevant factors" in deciding whether a location is suitable. The commission can look at whether a gaming business was at the previous location or if the proposed casino is located in a commercial area.

Scott Scherer, a member of the state Gaming Control Board, said he was not aaware of any recent problem with locations. He said if a casino doesn't get the clearance of the local governments, then it will not get a state license.

"History has left it up to the counties," Scherer said.

Bill Bible, president of the Nevada Resort Association, said Tuesday his organization has not seen the Perkins proposed bill and it has no comment. He said he was not aware of any recent problems involving casinos being located near schools or churches.

Nevada law also prohibits houses of prostitution being located within 400 yards of schools or churches.