If youre old enough to fight and die for your country, you should be old enough to play blackjack and drop a few dollars into a slot machine at the local casino. <\/p>\n
At least, thats the logic of Assemblyman Jim Wheeler, R-Gardnerville, who brings to the table Assembly Bill 86, which, with any luck at all, will be 86d right out of the Legislature. <\/p>\n
The bill would reduce the legal age to gamble in Nevada from 21 to 18. <\/p>\n
Credit to Wheeler for introducing a philosophical debate among lawmakers. But with just four months to complete the business of the state and the introduction of a solution to a problem that doesnt seem to exist, it makes no sense to spend any time on a proposal that isnt going anywhere. <\/p>\n
Dead on arrival, one gaming regulator said at a recent meeting. <\/p>\n
Colleague Colton Lochhead reached out to Nevada Gaming Commission Chairman Tony Alamo about the proposal, and he was as puzzled as everybody else about it. <\/p>\n
The industry has not come to us with any wants for dropping this, Alamo said. Everyones happy with 21 years of age. <\/p>\n
Indeed, Virginia Valentine, president of the Nevada Resorts Association, said her membership isnt bucking to change the law. <\/p>\n
Weve never supported it in the past, she said. Theres really no compelling reason to change that position. <\/p>\n
In fact, the change could create a problem. <\/p>\n
With a legal gambling age of 18 and a legal drinking age of 21, drink servers at casinos would be compelled to card patrons to see if they could be served a drink. <\/p>\n
Of course, the argument could be made that carding a customer might be a good thing because casinos could guard against underage drinking as well as underage gambling. <\/p>\n
Some observers say that adding players who are 18, 19 and 20 could increase play and thus generate additional tax revenue for the state. <\/p>\n
But really, just how much money would the average 18-to-20-year-old spend gambling? For the state, it looks like a big investment with little return. <\/p>\n
Nevada is no longer the only state with casinos. Whats the legal gambling age everywhere else? <\/p>\n
For most, its 21. <\/p>\n
According to the casino.org website, the legal age to gamble at tribal casinos in Alaska, Idaho, Minnesota and Wyoming is 18. <\/p>\n
In some states, the legal age is 18 or 21, depending on the game. For example, the age to legally place pari-mutuel bets the type most commonly associated with horse racing is 18 in Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Washington. <\/p>\n
If youre 18, you can play bingo at casinos in Connecticut, Florida, New Mexico, Oregon, Wisconsin and at tribal casinos in South Dakota (but not the commercial sites in Deadwood). <\/p>\n
For real confusion, the legal gambling age is 18 or 21, depending on the casino, in California, New York and Oklahoma. <\/p>\n
Its easy to sympathize with 18-year-olds who wonder why they can drive, vote and go to war but cant consume alcohol or gamble. It doesnt make sense. <\/p>\n
But its a debate from which legislators should keep away. <\/p>\n
Contact Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com<\/a> or 702-477-3893. Follow @RickVelotta on Twitter. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Go here to see the original: <\/p>\n Bill to lower gambling appears to be DOA in Nevada Legislature - Las Vegas Review-Journal<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If youre old enough to fight and die for your country, you should be old enough to play blackjack and drop a few dollars into a slot machine at the local casino. Continue reading