Clark County to zero on tavern gaming

Commissioners first took up the issue in March, but it was tabled for several months while the county focused on its medical marijuana licensing process.

The new tavern gaming ordinance will be introduced at the commission’s October 7 meeting and would then be put out for comment by businesses for 45 days. After that, the commission could vote on any changes as soon as December.

The tavern gaming issue has persisted for years, despite efforts by various lawmakers to close loopholes that have allowed slot parlors to flourish. Critics argue that businesses like Dotty’s and its many imitators operate like mini-casinos while being licensed as bars.

County and state laws allow bars to offer up to 15 slot machines, but require that gaming revenues be “incidental” to the primary business of selling food and drink. But vague wording has left the definition of “incidental” open to interpretation, allowing some taverns to gross far more than half of their revenue through gaming.

“I feel very strongly there are a group of licensees that have tavern licenses that aren’t taverns, they’re slot parlors,” Sisolak said. “They’re taking advantage of the system.”

Sisolak didn’t say specifically how he plans to tweak the law to force slot parlors to shape up or give up their gaming license. He said he’s waiting to unveil details until he has discussed it with other lawmakers and regulators. “I haven’t gotten everybody to sign off on it yet,” he said.