County nixes 100-room regulation

County commissioners denied a proposal that would require new casinos with unrestricted gaming licenses to build at least 100 rooms on Thursday, by a narrow 3-2 margin.

Designed to promote tourism and restrict the proliferation of small box casinos that could divide the market, the measure was supported by commissioners Kelly Kite and David Brady.

Doug Johnson, Tim Smith and Jim Baushke opposed it, as did the town boards in Minden, Gardnerville and Genoa.

"From what I understand, the towns weren't enthusiastic about this restriction because it retards their flexibility," Baushke said. "The towns have reviewed it and they have the first right of refusal.

"We don't want to penalize current businesses or do something to hurt their competitive edge," Baushke said. "But we don't want to create something we don't need. It's not clear to me that we need this, nor do we need to inhibit the flexibilities of the business entities here today."

Douglas County includes extensive holdings by the Washoe Tribe and Johnson said Indian casinos are a big issue.

"If we deny a casino, they can go to tribal lands," he said.

Commissioner Smith said anyone looking for an unrestricted gaming license already receives tremendous scrutiny. Approving the ordinance could burden future boards with variance requests.

"One size does not fit all," he said. "I'd like to think that in the future, this board would be open-minded enough to evaluate these businesses on a case-by-case basis."

Speaking in support of the proposal, CVI marketing director Bill Henderson said a similar restriction is required by state law for any county with a population over 100,000. A similar measure was approved in Carson City in 2001.

"We have the support of the business council and Chamber of Commerce," he said. "When it became obvious that we had universal agreement there, we tried to work it out with the commission."

Kite said he doesn't think the type of box casinos that could proliferate would bring in any real tourist dollars.

"We can't put on a big event here because we don't have the rooms. There are a lot of areas in Douglas County where this type of business isn't appropriate and I'm not sure our gaming overlay has the teeth to keep them out," he said.

After the decision, Henderson said he is very pleased that two commissioners saw the value in what was being proposed.

"As always, we have respect for the process," he said.

Robb Hellwinkel, one of the owners of the C.O.D. Garage in Minden that could be leased to Slot World, said the ordinance was about keeping competition out.

"I'm very supportive of the three commissioners who denied the ordinance," he said.

Susie Vasquez can be reached at svasquez@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 211.