Man loses gaming license over tip hustling, Internet sex site

The state Gaming Control Board Wednesday revoked a Las Vegas gaming manager's license due to his failure to control tip hustling and his involvement in a sexually oriented Internet site.

James Gish failed in a bid to have his license extended to run Sassy Sally's and Coin Castle Casino, both on East Fremont Street.

Board members said employees of both properties hustle tips from customers, using techniques such as directing them to "hot" gaming machines and then demanding a percentage of the customers' win as a tip. Members expressed dismay that the hustling continues two years after they first implored Gish to take steps to end it.

Gish said employees and managers have been trained not to hustle tips, and noted that hustling activity has dropped substantially.

Then board members turned their attention to a Web site partially owned by Gish. The site provides subscribers access to five cameras inside the Girls of Glitter Gulch topless bar.

Members said their problem was not necessarily with the site itself, but with the way it was advertised. According to Board Chairman Bill Bible, the site at one point advertised "Teen Sex Parties," and "Voyeurs Orgy Cam."

Gish called the phrases marketing tools, and said the site never displayed pictures of teens having sex.

Member Steve DuCharme questioned whether Gish would financially back a Web site but not know what was on it.

"You know what your Web page looks like ... but you didn't look at it before it went out?" DuCharme asked.

Gish and attorney Tom Davis argued that the only party fully aware of what was on the site was Computer Consultants of Nevada LLC, a company hired by Gish and partner Herb Pastor to build the site. In any event, the site has since been changed, Gish said.

"It wasn't honest," Gish said. "It was misleading."

Members tried to tie Gish's admission of dishonesty to tip hustling at Sassy Sally's and Coin Castle.

"Is it misleading, just like, 'This slot machine's hot, it's about to hit'?" DuCharme asked.

All three Board members voted against Gish's license.

"I don't think Mr. Gish has been candid with us today," said Member C. Brian Harris.

In other action, the board:

--Approved an application by Green Valley Gaming Inc., of Las Vegas, to operate a slot machine route. The board also approved restricted Green Valley licenses for two MacFrugal's stores. Green Valley has filed applications to operate slots at five other Las Vegas locations.

--Approved Bradly Exber as a trustee of The Mel Exber Family Trust, which has an ownership interest in the El Cortez, Western Hotel & Casino, Union Plaza Hotel & Casino, and Las Vegas Club. Exber was also approved as an officer of the Las Vegas Club.

--Approved a nonrestricted slots-only gaming license for Cheyenne Saloon & Gambling Hall Inc., doing business as Fort Las Vegas, on E. Cheyenne in North Las Vegas.

--Approved a nonrestricted gaming license for Village Pub & Casino-Summerlin, on Regatta Drive.

--Approved Craig Hodgkins as president, director and general manager of the Sahara Hotel and Casino, and as president of Big Jackpot Slots Inc. Both casinos are owned by Gordon Gaming Corp.

--Approved Morris Goldstein as president, chief executive and director of Alliance Gaming Corp. and seven Alliance subsidiaries.

--Approved an application by The Poker Palace, on Las Vegas Blvd. in North Las Vegas, to conduct pari-mutual wagering.

--Authorized participation in pari-mutuel race books operated by American Wagering Inc., doing business as Leroy's Horse and Sports Place, by several Nevada casinos, including Stratosphere Gaming Corp., Riviera Operating Corp., Ramada Express Hotel Casino, Tropicana Resort & Casino, Lady Luck Casino Hotel, and Hotel Ramada of Nevada.

--Approved the participation of Finger Lakes Racetrack, in Farmington, N.Y., and of Penn National Race Course, in Grantville, Pa., in Nevada pari-mutuel race book wagering.

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