Emphasizing that no customers were cheated or in any way harmed, the Nevada Gaming Commission on Thursday accepted a deal fining the Carson Nugget $20,000 for accounting violations.
The complaint was filed after auditors told the Gaming Control Board they have been trying to get the Nugget to fix problems in its system for tallying slot machine winnings since 1992.
Commissioners, who have the final say on gaming matters in Nevada, accepted the agreement Thursday. Nugget lawyer Todd Russell said this was the first gaming control complaint against the downtown Carson City casino since the Adams brothers purchased it 49 years ago.
Accompanied by Alan Adams, the son of the one of the original owners and half-owner of the casino, and Executive Vice President Brian Smith, Russell said there were no allegations of any criminal activity, just accounting problems.
"At no time was a slot customer affected nor the state of Nevada affected," Russell said.
Commission Chairman Pete Bernhard echoed those comments, saying no such allegations have been made.
"It was a record-keeping violation and there was no jeopardy to players or the state," Bernhard said.
The complaint states the Nugget has failed to fix problems on the meters which tally the number of coins played in slot machines despite "large variances between theoretical and actual hold percentages." Instead, the complaint said Nugget officials adjusted the meter readings by computer to equal the theoretical hold numbers.
Board staff and Nugget officials worked out changes to fix the problems and agreed on a stipulated settlement which imposed the fine.
The deal also requires monthly reports on slot machine winnings prepared by an independent accountant with gaming experience.
-- Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.