Garfield slots OK’d despite concerns

Friday, June 18, 2004 | 10:46 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- Garfield, the comic strip cat that has been appearing in newspapers for 26 years, may soon be a symbol on slot machines in Nevada casinos.

The state Gaming Commission on Thursday found the theme of Garfield was suitable for use on gaming devices. It unanimously approved the application of Mikohn Gaming Corp. of Las Vegas to go forward with its plans.

Jeff Silver, attorney for Mikohn, told the commission that the comic strip appears in 2,570 newspapers in the world. Garfield is a popular character.

"Adults appreciate him and have a great love for this feline," he said.

The issue before the commission was whether the Garfield character might attract children to the slots. Silver said Garfield has a major readership of adults in the age range of 18-49.

He said he took his daughter to the new movie on Garfield and the audience was split 50-50 adult and children.

He said a child who has seen the movie may not recognize the same character on a slot machine.

The movie version was created by computers, he said.

Commission Chairman Peter Bernhard however read some clips from movie reviews that said this movie would appeal to the preteens.

The Garfield character is created by Jim Davis of Muncie, Ind., and Silver said there are 50 people that work on the project.

Silver read a letter from Jill Davis, the wife of Jim, that said Garfield appeals to adults also.

The state Gaming Control Board had recommended approval of the slot, rejecting a staff recommendation that it be turned down because of the cat's appeal to children.