Former state senator Rawson tapped for Gaming Commission

Wednesday, April 27, 2005 | 10:53 a.m.

Ray Rawson, who served in the Nevada Senate for 20 years before being defeated in a close primary election in 2004, has been appointed to the Nevada Gaming Commission.

Rawson, 64, replaces John Moran, who resigned earlier this month to explore a possible run for the lieutenant governor's seat.

"Ray Rawson has an impeccable record as one of the finest legislators the state of Nevada has ever seen," said Gov. Kenny Guinn in a statement released Tuesday announcing the appointment.

"For 20 years, he was highly respected on both sides of the aisle in Carson City, earning a reputation as a thoughtful legislator who alway put the needs of our citizens first."

Guinn also announced the reappointment of Gaming Commissioners Sue Wagner of Reno and Arthur Marshall of Las Vegas. Originally appointed in 1997, Wagner, a former lieutenant governor, and Marshall, a banker and businessman, will begin their third four-year terms in May.

Rawson will complete Moran's term, which runs through April 2008.

"It's a time when everybody has to find their places," Rawson said Tuesday when asked what he expects his role will be on the five-member commission. "I'm anxious to work through the agendas and review the materials. I'm not leading any revolution or turning anything upside down."

Rawson, who has had a Las Vegas dental practice since 1968, had a job in a downtown casino in the early '60s.

"Back in 1960, when I was working my way through UNLV, I worked nights auditing at the Mint," Rawson said. "I saw the industry from the business, the auditing, side and realized the importance of companies having accurate records."

When Rawson became a lawmaker, he got the opportunity to meet most of the key players in the gaming industry. And, although many companies contributed to Rawson's campaign fund over the years, he said he wouldn't show any favoritism or have any conflicts in his responsibilities as a regulator.

"We have a citizen legislature and we have very specific rules and it's always understood that there's no obligation (to contributors)," Rawson said. "I ran for office in the last election and I've had no contact with gaming and certainly wouldn't be looking for any support in the future. Gaming is the major industry of our state and they've been good citizens in supporting government, all under public scrutiny."

According to campaign contribution reports, gaming interests contributed at least $57,000 to Rawson's election campaign in 2004, including $5,000 from the city's largest locals casino operator, more than $45,000 from Strip interests, $2,000 from a major downtown operator and $2,500 from a major gaming equipment manufacturing company.

Rawson, who served as chairman of the Senate Human Resources and Facilities Committee, represented Senate District 6 and was defeated in the Republican primary election in September by less than 1,000 votes by Assemblyman Bob Beers.

Beers, who ran on his reputation of being an anti-tax watchdog, had no Democratic opposition in the November general election and easily defeated Independent American Party candidate Cathie Lynn Profant.

Rawson teaches dentistry as a volunteer at the Community College of Southern Nevada after resigning a staff position there in the wake of controversy about legislators serving as public employees.

As a gaming commissioner, Rawson will make $40,000 a year for the part-time job.

"The past elections are all past history," Rawson said of gaming executives who lobbied him as a lawmaker and who now will come before him for approval on a variety of licensing matters. "A lot of the people who I've worked with are gone. The world marches on."