Steve Wynn says casino dollars tilted toward Democrats

The casino industry is providing more contributions to Democrats this year and Republican Congressman Frank Wolf is a key reason, according to one of the industry's leaders.

"We put our money where our mouth was," Steve Wynn, chairman of Mirage Resorts Inc., said Tuesday after addressing a charity function in Washington, D.C.

"We came to the conclusion that Representative Wolf and the mentality he represents was completely devoid of any objectivity, any judicial fairness. The House of Representatives is no place for bigotry and prejudice," Wynn told a Las Vegas newspaper in an interview after a luncheon in which 25 United Way charities honored the casino industry.

"Wolf was a bigot, is a bigot and is prejudiced," Wynn said.

Wolf pushed for creation of the National Gambling Impact Study Commission. The report on gambling's economic and social impact has led to anti-casino legislation in Congress.

A Wolf spokeswoman did not immediately return a phone call for comment.

"It's fun to be here in Washington," Wynn told the United Way luncheon. "Boy, I would like to get a shot at Congressman Wolf myself. Wish he was here. Ooh, I dislike that man."

Wynn said the Virginia Republican is a key reason the casino industry is providing more financial support to Democrats this year in their effort to regain control of the House.

Wynn also lambasted a bill currently in Congress that would ban betting on college sports in Nevada casinos.

"There isn't the slightest, not one shred of, proof that any college student gambles in Las Vegas," Wynn said in an interview. "In order to make a bet at a sports book in Nevada, you have to be 21 years old, and they check ID. Secondly, you cannot make a long-distance call into a book. Therefore, this bill has no relationship to gambling on campus."

Garth Winckler, president of the United Way of Southern Nevada, said the idea of the luncheon surfaced from the outcome of the gambling panel's study.

"We wanted to show members of Congress how important the gaming industry is to our (fund-raising) campaigns," Winckler said.

The American Gaming Association said the casino industry donates more than $58 million to charities each year, including $10 milion given annually to local United Way campaigns.

Wynn was the keynote speaker at the luncheon, giving a 17-minute speech in which he praised the industry and its workers for their charity roles.

"When we feel fortunate, when we feel optimistic about ourselves, we tend to be generous in spirit," Wynn said.

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