Gaming industry refuses to pay more to help solve state budget crisis

The Nevada Resort Association announced Thursday night that the gaming industry won't agree to a Democratic plan to obtain $32 million more a year from casinos to help balance the state budget.

Lawmakers have been trying for days to negotiate a deal with the industry, which lost $6.7 billion in fiscal year 2009.

If Democrats can't get the casinos to agree to cough up more revenue, it puts in jeopardy their whole budget-balancing plan that attempts to avoid deep cuts in education and social services.

Key Republicans have said they won't support any revenue-raising plan that the target industry doesn't accept.

"The Nevada Resort Association announced tonight that it could not reach consensus among its statewide membership to support a legislative proposal to increase $32.5 million in fees that the gaming industry pays annually to the State of Nevada," the group said in a statement.

The association cited the $6.7 billion loss, a record decline in casino revenues, and nearly 34,500 layoffs in the past year.

The trade association represents most major casinos in Nevada.

Contact Laura Myers at lmyers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2919.