Nevada Gaming Commission to Consider $250,000 Fine Against Reno’s Grand Sierra Resort | Casinos and games

The Nevada Gaming Control Board has filed a complaint against Reno’s largest hotel-casino and a settlement, if approved by the Nevada Gaming Commission, could result in a $250,000 fine.

Earlier this month, the Board of Control filed a single complaint against MEI-GSR Holdings LLC, which does business as Grand Sierra Resort, Reno’s largest casino property.

In the complaint, the Board of Control alleged that resort security guards prevented enforcement agents from accessing a GSR theater during a routine check of the property on December 19.

The complaint says there was a similar occurrence at the Grand Sierra Resort in January 2021 and the Board of Control issued a letter of violation in February 2021.

In that case, the resort hired security officers who were not properly registered with the Private Investigator Licensing Board to supplement its security staff.

“These security officers, with inadequate training and credentials, restricted access to a licensee’s property to board agents, even after the agents provided agency credentials,” the complaint says.

The resort responded that following this incident, security staff were given specific verbal and written instructions on how to provide access to council officers.

“It will be documented that there is zero tolerance for preventing or delaying entry once the acting officer has provided the information and the acting officer does not need to be swept,” the response said. “This information will be continuously communicated to the team.”

But that didn’t happen in December, resulting in the allegation that Grand Sierra Resort, which is co-owned by Las Vegas’ Sahara hotel-casino, violated Regulation 5 and could be subject to disciplinary action.

In stipulating the settlement, Senior Assistant Attorney General Michael Somps said the Grand Sierra Resort admitted that the board agent delayed access for about six minutes but was later allowed to enter the theater without being disarmed, but the agent chose to leave the scene after additional discussion with security officers.

Under the agreement, Grand Sierra Resort waived its right to a public hearing on the allegations and would pay a $250,000 fine.

It’s unclear when the deal will be considered by the Nevada Gaming Commission, which is scheduled to meet Thursday and Nov. 21.

Contact Richard N. Velotta at [email protected] or 702-477-3893. Follow @RickVelotta on X.