Two casinos fined for gaming violations

Friday, May 26, 2006 | 7:15 a.m.

CARSON CITY - Two casinos in Clark County have agreed to pay fines for violating state gaming regulations - one for permitting a 6-year-old girl to take part in a casino drawing and the other for accounting discrepancies.

In a proposed settlement with the state Gaming Control Board, Terrible's Hotel on Paradise Road agreed to pay a $10,000 fine after admitting that the child participated in a December 2003 drawing for a new car.

In the other case, Aztec Gold Inn, 2200 Las Vegas Blvd. South, is to be fined $5,000 after general partner Donald Dombrowski and attorney W. Owen Nitz signed a stipulation admitting to accounting violations.

The Terrible's charges stemmed from a promotional drawing at the casino for those who had won slot jackpots.

A mother who was one of the winners eligible brought her daughter to the casino for the four-stage drawing for a new car. The woman survived the first two rounds and was one of 10 finalists in the third, in which a key for the car was pulled from a drum. In the drawing, officials permitted the 6-year-old to draw the key for her mother. The key she drew, however, did not start the car.

The complaint said at least five Terrible's employees were aware that the child - in violation of rules prohibiting juveniles from being near slots and gaming tables or taking part in gaming-related activities - was present in the casino but did nothing about it. In recommending disciplinary action, the board termed it an "unsuitable method of operation."

In the Aztec case, the complaint said the casino had been warned in January 2005 of violations in its internal control accounting procedures and agreed to correct the discrepancies. But when state agents reviewed the casino in June, it found continued violations, including underreporting slot winnings by $38,218. State taxes are based on casinos' winnings.

The complaint also said the coin counter in the Aztec's count room was not properly tested and cited other improprieties, including the improper recording of supply purchases and allowing a bartender to have a $2,000 bankroll for making gaming payouts not recorded in the accounting system.

Both casinos waived their rights to a public hearing before the Nevada Gaming Commission, which will vote June 22 on whether to accept the settlements.