Sunday, October 27, 2002
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Ex-Nevada regulator hits road in new job

Former Nevada Gaming Control Board Chairman Steve DuCharme left his job as the state's top casino cop almost two years ago, but his regulatory experience earlier this month landed the former Metro police officer a new gig.

DuCharme was appointed to the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Gaming Commission. The panel regulates the tribe's Akwesasne Mohawk Casino in northern New York and would regulate the Catskills casino Las Vegas-based casino giant Park Place Entertainment Corp. plans to operate for the tribe.

Former New Jersey Gaming Commission Chairman James Hurley was also named, about three months after he retired from the Garden State post.

The wry DuCharme characteristically downplayed his expertise before spinning a yarn about travel to commission meetings at the remote upstate reservation.

"We fly into Ottawa, (Ontario,) and sleep in Canada, then we drive across the border for our meetings," DuCharme said.

DuCharme hopes to assist the tribe's efforts to strengthen its regulatory structure and improve credibility with New York state regulators.

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TRIVIA TIME: Prior to 1969, Nevada law required all corporate shareholders in a casino-operating business to be individually licensed. What former Nevada governor pushed for liberalization of state rules to allow corporations to hold a casino license without requiring every corporate shareholder to also be licensed?

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FAST FACT: Among tourists surveyed by the Las Vegas Visitors and Convention Authority who didn't gamble while in Las Vegas, 35 percent said the primary reason was that they didn't like losing. Some 26 percent said gambling is uninteresting or boring and 10 percent said they can't afford it. Only 8 percent cited religious objections.

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TRIVIA ANSWER: Former Gov. Paul Laxalt pushed for the changes, which ended the effective exclusion of corporations from owning Nevada casinos. Now only major shareholders must be individually licensed.

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QUOTABLE: "We have a very open mind, and we're able to move quickly. You'll see us growing, and we're interested in all kinds of opportunities if something really tasty comes along."-- MGM Mirage President and Chief Financial Officer Jim Murren, on the company's plans to explore growth and acquisition opportunities

Gaming Wire staff compiles Gaming Chips.