Gamers ax idea for Three Little Pigs slot machine

Friday, Dec. 23, 2005 | 9:10 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The Three Little Pigs slot machine took it on the chinny chin chin Thursday.

The Nevada Gaming Commission voted 3-1 against allowing Konami Gaming Inc. of Las Vegas to sell a gaming device to casinos with the name of "Chinny Chin Chins." The game is based on the fairy tale of the "Three Little Pigs."

Commission Chairman Peter Bernhard said the theme doesn't comply with the regulation that bans marketing gaming devices as a children's story. The regulation was developed to stop themes that attract children to the slot machines.

Commissioner Ray Rawson said device "is basically a children's story."

Anthony Cabot, Konami's attorney, argued that it was an Asian game but "has some cross-over appeal" to players in this country. The pigs are called "Chins," he said.

He argued that 20 percent to 30 percent of the gaming devices in the casinos are based on folk tales, such as "The Frog Prince" and "The Lion King." These games are popular to people of all ages and are "cultural icons," he said.

Cabot had support from Commissioner Sue Wagner, who said the regulation was "micromanaging" the gaming industry that it can't use children themes on slot machines. She said she would vote for every theme that comes before the commission in the future.

"Children should not be around slot machines in the first place," she added.

Commissioner Arthur Marshall said the regulation was in place and the commission must abide by it.

The vote overturned the recommendation of the state Gaming Control Board, which favored the theme on a 2-1 vote, with Chairman Dennis Neilander dissenting.

Cabot argued that the "Three Little Pigs" story has been in the adult market with songs by rap singers. "This goes across all generations," he said.

Disney made a 1931 movie about the three little pigs, but he said that it's not a popular theme anymore, adding that children don't dress up as three little pigs on Halloween.

Bernhard said Cabot failed in his burden to show it would not be marketed primarily to children. The products sold from the fairy tale are aimed primarily to children, the chairman said.

Cy Ryan can be reached at (775) 687-5032 or at cy@lasvegassun.com.