In Brief

Committee supports funding for Nevada Business Portal

The state Interim Finance Committee on Thursday authorized funding for the Nevada Business Portal, an online one-stop shop for businesses.

Secretary of State Ross Miller, however, needs authorization from the state's Board of Examiners to proceed with a $4.5 million contract with Capgemini Government Solutions to develop the portal. The board will consider his request on July 13.

The portal, the first of its kind in the country, would be used to apply for sales and use tax permits, renew state business licenses, file articles of incorporation and conduct other business online with one payment, Miller's office said.

In a statement, Assembly Majority Leader John Oceguera, D-Las Vegas, said the portal would improve service to Nevada businesses, boost state efficiency and capture millions of dollars of lost revenue. Oceguera was the lead sponsor of the Nevada Business Portal bill, which was passed last year.

International Game Technology chief named to board at Yahoo

International Game Technology Chief Executive Officer Patti Hart was elected to the board of directors of Internet company Yahoo.

Hart has been CEO of IGT since April 2009. She spent most of her career in the technology industry, serving as an executive and board member of several publicly traded technology providers. Hart joined the Reno-based slot machine manufacturer's board of directors four years ago.

Intuit CEO Brad Smith was also elected to the Sunnyvale, Calif.-based company's board along with Hart.

IGT shares fell 70 cents, or 4.01 percent, Thursday to close at $16.76 on the New York Stock Exchange.

NASHVILLE, Tenn.

Gaylord Opryland Resort's loss said to be Las Vegas' gain

Gaylord Entertainment CEO Colin Reed says Las Vegas has been a major beneficiary of the convention businesses the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center had to cancel because of last month's floods.

The hotel had 320,000 room nights booked between the beginning of May and the end of October. Some of those guests went to other Nashville hotels or to Gaylord hotels in other cities, but the majority did neither.

Speaking at a Thursday news conference, Reed said he was not concerned about losing business to Las Vegas over the long term. He said Nashville and Gaylord Opryland are competitive with anybody.

BOSTON

Massachusetts officials back allowing smoking in casinos

Six years after Massachusetts passed a ban on smoking in workplaces, bars and restaurants because of public health concerns, Senate leaders are backing a gambling bill that would allow smoking in new casinos proposed for the state.

The proposal is drawing fire from antismoking advocates, who say the proposed legislation would put casino patrons and workers at a health risk, while also upending the ban on smoking in restaurants, bars and workplaces.

Under legislation briefly debated Wednesday, the state would license three casinos and allow smoking in up to 25 percent of their gaming areas. The bill also requires signs marking the smoking areas and "appropriate ventilation so as to minimize the effect of the smoke on the nondesignated areas."

Advocates say banning smoking would drive gamblers to other states where casino smoking is allowed.

Ohio officials give approval to Harrah's racetrack purchase

Harrah's Entertainment received approval Wednesday from Ohio officials to purchase a horse racetrack in the suburbs of Cleveland.

The Ohio State Racing Commission approved the purchase of Thistledown, which the Las Vegas-based gaming giant recently purchased for $43 million at a bankruptcy auction.

The Ohio Supreme Court ruled last year that legislation approving video lottery licensing at the racetrack was subject to a referendum. The issue will go before state voters in November.