Neal introduces gambling bills

CARSON CITY -- Always a thorn in the side of the gambling industry, Sen. Joe Neal, D-North Las Vegas, introduced three bills Wednesday that could cost the casinos some big bucks.

The main measure, SB88, would boost fees paid by the state's largest casinos from 6.25 percent to 8.25 percent. The current tax level is one of the lowest in the nation, and Neal for years has sought unsuccessfully to raise it.

Neal is zeroing in on 20 big resorts on the Las Vegas Strip, which recently reported $845.6 million in profits or 12.7 percent earnings on revenue. He says it's clear they can afford to pay more.

But Harvey Whittemore, chief lobbyist for the Nevada Resort Association, says the industry can't afford a tax hike at this time.

Whittemore says there's big pressure on the industry due to Indian gambling in California and a review by the National Gaming Commission. Some fear the national group may try to recommend a federal tax on casinos.

Casino taxes account for more than a third of the state's tax collections.

A recent poll by the state universities in Las Vegas and Reno showed 69 percent of those sampled favored increasing taxes on gaming if more money was needed for government programs. Only 14 percent opposed a casino tax increase.

A second Neal bill, SB86, would stop campaign contributions from anyone associated with the gambling industry. Casinos typically are heavy contributors to many campaigns. For example, casino industry money accounted for more than a third of the $6.2 million raised for Republican Kenny Guinn's successful bid for governor last year.

Neal, an also-ran in the 1998 Democratic primary for governor, got virtually no money from the casino industry.

A third measure from Neal, SB90, would repeal a tax break for businesses displaying works of art for the public.

Neal said in October he would try to erase the exemption, which Nevada casino mogul Steve Wynn pushed for during the 1997 legislature.

Though the tax break was approved two years ago, the state Tax Commission voted not to allow the exemption if Wynn charged admission to his collection of fine art at the Bellagio resort in Las Vegas.

Neal also proposed SB91, which provides for a 400-word statement by each candidate on sample ballot. He says that would relieve candidates of the need for contributions to pay for costly advertising.

Neal also introduced SB89, to create an assistance program for the needy to help pay for utilities. Though seven senators signed on to cosponsor that bill, no one added their name to the other four proposals.

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