A fine of 100,000 dollars for the MGM group
The Nevada Gaming Commission is the regulatory authority of the state Nevada, and they are responsible for ensuring the proper operation of the gambling industry in this area.
In October 2013, The authority filed a complaint against the company MGM Resorts International.
The security guards of the Aria Resort & Casino, which is located in the City Center complex on the famous strip in Las Vegas, have apparently obstructed the work of personnel from the Nevada Gaming Commission, and prevented them from observing the roulette games as part of their routine checks.
In the regulations of the state of Nevada it is stipulated that the gaming areas have to be open to the public, and that they can be subject to regular audits carried out by the regulatory authority.
MGM Resorts have now been sentenced to pay a fine of $100,000.
The facts
To observe the games at the tables at the Aria Resort & Casino Las Vegas, the officials of the Nevada Gaming Commission were standing in 1.5 or 2 m distance from the roulette table.
On October 13, 2013, a floor supervisor was informed that a player did not want to be watched during his game session.
Two security officers of the establishment came and stood in front of the officials to block their sight, without wanting to move.
Interesting arguments
Ellen Whittemore, one of the lawyers of the MGM Resorts International group does not deny the facts about what happened.
However, she claims that this does not constitute a violation of the gaming regulations.
Commissioner Randolph Townsend suggested that the guidelines needed more clarification.
This includes the distance of how close an observer can stand near the gaming table, and if they can breathe down the neck of the players.
Recurring complaints
The complaint that was filed by the Nevada Gaming Commission also mentions that this is the third time that the personnel of the Aria Resort & Casino has blocked the view of observing officials of the regulatory authority.
Similar situations have occurred in 2010 and 2012.
Ellen Whittemore states, that following the second complaint of 2012, the casino had implemented measures to remind the security guards that the casino room should be publicly accessible.
More measures to educate the employees have been put in place after the recent complaint had been filed.
However, this has not prevented the MGM Resorts International group from being sentenced to pay a fine of $100,000.
