Nevada Lawmakers Quietly Altered Gaming Regulations for School-Near Casino Developer
In June, Nevada legislators discreetly altered a state rule about casinos and schools, reportedly to advantage a specific gambling establishment, Red Rock Resorts. The rule revision consisted of amending SB266, a 26-year-old law that stipulates a casino cannot be placed within 1,500 feet of a school or place of worship.
Red Rock Resorts (NASDAQ: RRR) wanted 25 of its 126 acre site on Las Vegas Boulevard and Cactus Avenue to be considered part of a gaming enterprise district, but the site was only 1,500 feet from Dennis Ortwein Elementary School. Unless the law changed, they couldn't open a casino there.
The Nevada Independent reported that the law modification was made "without any public input or discussion" during the final stages of the legislative session.
On June 5, the amendment was introduced in the Assembly and passed with a 40-2 vote the next day. The Senate approved the altered version just before their final adjournment, and Governor Joe Lombardo (R) signed the bill on June 13.
Interstate Highway Exception
The amendment, sponsored by Assemblywoman Shea Backus (D-Las Vegas), removes the distance restriction if an interstate highway separates the casino from the school or church. This is relevant due to the placement of Ortwein Elementary School, as Interstate 15 lies between the school and Red Rock's planned casino.
A spokesperson for Red Rock Resorts, Michael Britt, said: "We were seeking to have a clean slate for development. We thought that an interstate highway defined the definition of a barrier. So, it obviously benefits us with that property but it also helps others along [Las Vegas Boulevard]."
So far, the 1997 law has only been amended once, which allowed Wynn Resorts to move part of the former Desert Inn Golf Course into its gaming district, enabling them to construct their Encore casino despite its proximity to a Roman Catholic church. Previously, it was held that the Desert Inn Super Arterial served as a suitable barrier.
Red Rock purchased the land, which is around a mile south of the South Point Hotel & Casino, for $172M last year. At the time, the company declared: "We are excited about the potential of this site as a local and regional destination casino resort. The larger acreage parcel allows the Company greater flexibility in master planning to take maximum advantage of the future development."
Read also:
- Remaining contenders down to two in DFB's struggle versus Brazil.
- Law enforcement agencies in various metropolises plan expansive measures for May 1.
- Berlin Transport Senator Schreiner Steps Down over Doctorate Issues
- The Next Development in the DAZN/DFL Billion Euro Controversy
Source: www.casino.org
