Wynn blasts state entertainment tax

Thursday, March 10, 2005 | 11:08 a.m.

Steve Wynn took full advantage of having the ear of gaming regulators Wednesday by sounding off against the state's new live entertainment tax, which he thinks is hurting Las Vegas' lounge scene.

"There should not be a tax on (entertainment at) lounges," Wynn told the three-member state Gaming Control Board at his licensing hearing for Wynn Las Vegas. "We can't charge people for lounge acts; the public won't pay for it."

Dennis Neilander, chairman of the Gaming Control Board, promised Wynn he would bring the issue to the attention of lawmakers when he testifies on various gaming issues during the current legislative session.

Wynn added more comments after the board unanimously recommended approval of his licensure to the Nevada Gaming Commission.

"It's like putting a tax on art," Wynn said. "If you put a tax on it, pretty soon you have no more art because the owners aren't going to continue" to deal with taxes.

"Maybe we'll take it up with the Legislature," he said. "It's not enlightened tax policy."