Out of control clubs

The advent of wild and crazy clubs leased within casinos was a problem we should have seen a mile away.

Just because a club leases space within a casino doesn't give it (or the casino, for that matter) the green light to operate in a law-enforcement free zone. Yet, that's pretty much what has happened. Drug use and prostitution have become accepted and encouraged activities within at least some of these cash-awash clubs.

Now the Gaming Control Board, which has several investigations pending against clubs, is beginning to move against the host casinos.

That's a good first step. But let's face it: fines aren't going to do the trick. The clubs are too lucrative to respond to an occasional $500,000 fine. Nevada's going to need to license activities leased within casinos, or threaten casinos with license suspension.

Until that happens, leased clubs within casinos will remain out of control. And that's bad for the city.