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Garfield Theme-Slots Approved by Nevada Regulators

CARSON CITY, Nevada -- The Garfield cartoon character was recommended Thursday as a theme for a new slot machine by casino regulators after a lawyer for the slot manufacturer insisted the new device would appeal to adults and not children.

The state Gaming Control Board's recommendation on the request from Mikohn Gaming Corp. goes to its parent state Gaming Commission, which will have final say June 17.

The board had a staff recommendation against use of the Garfield theme.

Gaming Control Board hearing officer Todd Westergard said his recommendation, outlined to the board at Thursday's meeting, was based on gaming regulations that say that a licensee can't use a theme that is "derived from or based on a product that is currently and primarily intended or marketed for use by persons under 21 years of age or is otherwise contrary to the public policy of the state or would constitute an unsuitable method of operation."

Westergard said the second requirement can be broadly interpreted, but some of the regulatory guidelines that he followed in his recommendation is that Garfield is the subject of a television cartoon, a movie, a video game and an advertising or marketing campaign.

He noted that Garfield could become even more high profile when "Garfield: The Movie" is released June 11. Westergard said the marketing and visibility is likely to change between the time the Gaming Control Board made its recommendation and when the Nevada Gaming Commission makes a final decision on the appropriateness of the theme.

Mikohn attorney Jeff Silver said anyone who reads Garfield "will clearly see this comic strip is not geared for children."

Silver said a study has shown the lazy cat is a favorite cartoon character with women, adding its addition to the plethora of slot machine themes already seen in casinos "will enhance the overall gaming experience."

Silver also said he tested his argument that Garfield doesn't have a lot of appeal for children by showing several cartoon strips to his 7-year-old daughter -- and "she didn't get it."

The film has been given a PG rating, indicating that while it's not geared specifically to children that youngsters will be a part of the film's audience.

Control Board Chairman Dennis Neilander and board member Scott Scherer agreed to recommend the new theme, but said the Garfield slot should be limited to casinos and not be allowed in locations such as slot arcades in supermarkets or bars.

Neilander said that with "Garfield: The Movie" coming out, some restrictions are warranted because "Garfield could become a children's icon."

Mikohn has spent about $250,000 locking up the Garfield theme for a new slot machine, Silver said, adding that the company doesn't want "an attractive nuisance" that draws minors.

He also said the theme could be "a blockbuster," adding that the Garfield strip is in nearly 2,600 newspapers with a daily readership of more than 260 million.

Copyright © Las Vegas Sun. Inc. Republished with permission.

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