The Grand Sierra Resort in Reno has reached an agreement with the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) to pay a $250,000 settlement following a regulatory complaint. The complaint was filed by the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) after an incident where a gaming agent was denied prompt access to the property’s Grand Theatre during a routine inspection.
According to Michael Somps, a senior deputy attorney general representing the state, the agent was asked to surrender his firearm before entering the theater, causing a delay of about six minutes. While brief delays are common during inspections, this particular incident was deemed unacceptable by the NGC due to a similar occurrence in 2021.
The $250,000 fine imposed on the Grand Sierra Resort was not contested by its parent owner, The Meruelo Group, led by billionaire Alex Meruelo. The resort’s compliance with the settlement also comes shortly after making charitable donations to local schools in Washoe County.
In Nevada, the NGC and NGCB oversee the regulation of the state’s gaming industry, with the authority to impose fines on licensees found to be noncompliant. The funds collected through these fines contribute to the Nevada General Fund, supporting various state initiatives and services.
It is crucial for licensed establishments to grant immediate access to gaming agents during inspections to ensure compliance with gaming regulations. The NGC emphasizes the importance of maintaining transparency and cooperation between licensees and regulatory authorities to uphold the integrity of the gaming industry in the state.
