Gaming commission adds northern member

Term-limited Republican state Sen. Randolph Townsend of Reno was appointed to the Nevada Gaming Commission on Wednesday, giving the five-person policymaking panel its only member from the northern part of the state.

Townsend, 63, who has represented Washoe County in the state Senate since 1983, resigned his seat Wednesday, according to the Legislative Council Bureau.

"Randolph Townsend has played a key role in policy development in Nevada for many years," Gov. Jim Gibbons, who made the appointment, said in a statement. "The gaming commission and the citizens of Nevada will benefit from his extensive knowledge of business and industry."

The four-year term on the part-time panel that rules on recommendations made by the full-time Gaming Control Board pays $40,000 a year.

Townsend, who has a business and financial background, will replace Las Vegas attorney Radha Chanderraj, who did not seek reappointment when her term expired this month.

With his nearly 30 years of service in the Legislature ending, Townsend said he approached Gibbons after the recently concluded special session about continuing to serve the state in some capacity.

He joins a panel that includes three Las Vegas-based attorneys and a Las Vegas physician. The entire panel has now been appointed by Gibbons, including Chairman Pete Bernhard, who was originally appointed by former Gov. Kenny Guinn, but was reappointed by Gibbons in 2007.

The commission's makeup had been criticized of late because of its predominance of attorneys and the absence of a Northern Nevada member.

"I'm not an attorney but I have a business background and I believe that will provide a fresh perspective, especially with the financial issues facing the gaming industry," Townsend said. "The gaming industry is our No. 1 industry and it's important that we continue a tradition of strong regulatory oversight."

Nevada gaming regulators are expected to rule on several casino industry financial restructurings in the upcoming year, including resolutions surrounding the bankruptcies of Herbst Gaming and Station Casinos.

Townsend thought the gaming industry was entering a new era, following the merger activity in recent years, the entrance of private equity financing and the recent economic downturn.

"It's a different era after the tremendous growth we experienced," he said.

Townsend served in 14 regular legislative sessions and 12 special sessions. During that time, he chaired the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor when Republicans had the majority leadership. Townsend also served on the Committee on Government Affairs and was vice chairman of the Committee on Taxation.

"My background in the financial world will be helpful," Townsend said. "I worked on all the workers' compensation laws, (occupational health and safety) legislation and tax legislation. These issues all covered the gaming industry in some manner."

Former legislators have served on the panel in the past. In the past few years, the panel included former state Sen. Ray Rawson and former Lt. Gov. Sue Wagner, who also served terms in the Assembly and the Senate.

Political pundits floated Townsend's name last year as a potential candidate for various elective offices, but he decided to remain off the ballot. Townsend said Wednesday he didn't preclude a run for office in the future, but he was committed to serving the full four years of the gaming commission appointment.

Contact reporter Howard Stutz at hstutz@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3871.