Gaming briefs for May 10, 2004

Monday, May 10, 2004 | 9:07 a.m.

Regulator suggests moving casino barges ashore

BILOXI, Miss. -- A Mississippi casino regulator is suggesting that gambling barges eventually will move onto land, a proposal that's met with little support around the state.

Len Blackwell, chairman of the Mississippi Gaming Commission, said the transition is a logical step for the casino industry.

"Our law is good and our regulations are good, but the casinos don't need to be floating," Blackwell said while attending last week's Southern Gaming Summit.

State law requires casinos to located along the Mississippi River and Gulf Coast counties or tributaries that connect to them. Most barges sit in man-made lagoons or coffer dams connected to the main body of water.

Bernie Burkholder, president and CEO of Treasure Bay Corp., said Treasure Bay closed 13 days in 1998 due to Hurricane Georges and 17 days in 2003 after Hurricane Lily. He said he would endorse a move toward permanent structures.

A working barge on a river generally lasts 12-15 years, Burkholder said, but that's not the same as in saltwater.

Indian casino lobby questions lawmakers

ALBUQUERQUE -- The New Mexico Indian Gaming Association wants to know who its allies and opponents are among candidates for the state Legislature.

The association is sending out its first-ever legislative candidate questionnaire, along with a fact sheet outlining some of the tribes' positions.

The packet tells candidates they could receive tribal money if they're endorsed by the group, which represents 12 of the state's 13 casino-operating tribes. And the candidates are reminded of the thousands of voters the group represents.

"We're only out here trying to protect our investments ... and candidates need to be made aware of that," Charlie Dorame, acting chair of the Indian Gaming Association, said. "It's the first time we've done this. I'm going to go ahead and say it probably won't be the last time."