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Posted by Robert
Rap News Network
2/19/2004 11:37:44 PM
Tags and topics realted to this article include Nelly.
Some allegedly special treatment for the rapper Nelly could cost a St. Louis casino $50,000.
The Missouri Gaming Commission proposed the fine Thursday for the President Casino on the Admiral, which hosted a private, late-night birthday party for Nelly last November.
State regulators claim the casino allowed Nelly -- whose actual name is Cornell Haynes Jr. -- and his eight-person entourage to enter the casino without first getting the required electronic identification cards that limit the amount of money patrons can bet.
Later, regulators say, a craps table dealer let Nelly play after the rapper showed him a gambling card belonging to an unknown woman. Then the casino continued to let Nelly gamble while another employee made a new betting card in Nelly's name and ran it through the casino's turnstiles -- as if the rapper had just arrived.
A preliminary order of disciplinary action approved Thursday by the Gaming Commission alleges the casino violated about 10 state laws and rules while accommodating Nelly, who in the documents is referred to only as the "Patron."
Gaming Commission executive director Kevin Mullally confirmed to The Associated Press that the patron in question was Nelly. He said only the casino -- not Nelly -- is being targeted for penalties because the casino is responsible for upholding state gambling laws.
Missouri has the only law in the country that limits gamblers to purchasing no more than $500 worth of gambling chips or tokens every two hours. Casinos have lobbied unsuccessfully each year in the state Legislature to repeal the so-called "loss limit."
Ralph Vaclavik, President Casino's senior vice president and chief financial officer, said casino officials still are looking into the incident during Nelly's party. The casino has 30 days to appeal the case to a state administrative hearing office, which would gather more evidence and make a final recommendation to the Gaming Commission.
Nelly publicist Juliette Harris of Los Angeles said Nelly did not intentionally skirt Missouri's gambling policies. She said someone was sent to the casino before Nelly's arrival to obtain a gambling card, which Nelly then used.
"I was hoping we could waive in, but the boat actually was very strict. I remember having to go through all the hoopla beforehand," Harris said in a telephone interview. "We followed the rules set forth to us (by casino employees). We did what we were told."
Mullally said the Gaming Commission, which authorized the private party, told casino officials both in writing and at several meetings that they still had to follow state gambling laws.
"I guess when the time came, when Nelly finally showed up, some of the employees just kind of choked, and they let him walk on through without the appropriate loss limits rules being followed," Mullally said.
Missouri casinos seldom close to the general public to host private parties. Nelly's event had been publicized in advance as the "most spectacular private birthday party St. Louis has ever seen." Although billed as private, fans could purchase tickets for $50, with the proceeds benefiting local charities.
Mullally said he hopes other casinos take notice of the President Casino's proposed fine.
"The lesson is pay attention to your job and don't get distracted because a celebrity happens to be patronizing the casino," Mullally said.
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