Gaming briefs for Feb. 13, 2004

Friday, Feb. 13, 2004 | 11:22 a.m.

Firm offering charter flights

GARY, Ind. -- Harrah Entertainment Inc. of Las Vegas is starting charter flights from Gary in March, transporting its high-rollers from the area to and from its casinos in Laughlin and Reno-Tahoe, airport officials said Wednesday.

The charter flights will be operated by Allegiant Airlines of Las Vegas.

Harrah's will transport its preferred customers from Gary to Laughlin and Reno-Tahoe, as a reward.

The casino chose to operate out of the Gary airport as opposed to other regional airports because of the convenience to customers, said Angela Wise, a spokeswoman for Harrah's.

Lottery director cleared

LINCOLN, Neb. -- The head of the Nebraska Lottery will not face charges over a trip he and his wife took to Greece that was paid for by a lottery vendor, Attorney General Jon Bruning said Thursday.

Bruning said a State Patrol investigation concluded that Quinn always intended to repay the $5,000 it cost to send his wife on the trip.

The trip was paid for by Intralot USA of Duluth, Ga., which was recently selected to be the lottery's online game vendor.

Quinn and his wife, Kathy, traveled to Greece in September after Intralot was awarded the new contract with the Nebraska Lottery so Quinn could inspect Intralot's operations.

But state law prohibits public officials from accepting gifts of travel or lodging for their spouse while on state business.

Intralot is one of three companies owned by Greek tycoon Socrates Kokkalis.

Plea in theft changed

SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio -- A woman who claimed she lost a winning $162 million Mega Millions lottery ticket has changed her plea from no contest to innocent on a charge that she made up the story on a police report.

Elecia Battle withdrew the plea Thursday in South Euclid Municipal Court and wants a jury trial, clerk Debra Roy said.

Battle, 40, of Cleveland, had entered the no contest plea on Jan. 15. The no contest plea was not an admission of guilt but meant Battle would not fight the charge punishable by one month to six months in jail and $1,000 fine.