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Nevada Regulators Wary of Sexual Activity

LAS VEGAS - Aggressive competition for twentysomething customers has seen some Las Vegas casino operators allow risqué sexual activity within public spaces, argues Nevada Gaming Control Board member Bobby Siller.

Incidents of nudity and sexual activity at the Hard Rock Hotel last summer prompted the state panel to launch an investigation at the Paradise Road gaming property.

"The Hard Rock, the Palms and some of the others are going after a younger market niche," Siller said. "This age group engages in risqué behavior. We want people to have fun, but we want them to have fun in an appropriate environment. The problem behavior can be managed with improved oversight, more security and better surveillance."

Siller, a former FBI special agent, said he nightly sends teams of control board agents to monitor activities at some of the casino industry's hottest nightclubs in an effort to determine whether public nudity or sexual behavior is being tolerated at Las Vegas casinos.

"We're not the moral police, and we not worried about people's appearance," Siller said. "We're worried about behavior that violates state or local law, and public sex acts and nudity clearly violate those laws."

In 1999, the Clark County Liquor and Gaming Licensing Board voted 4-0 to place on 12 months probation the liquor license of the Delmonico Steakhouse after a bawdy party hosted by TV pitchman Robin Leach at the The Venetian restaurant.

The control board recently ordered Hard Rock management to explain the failure of property security guards from curbing the sexual activity, which occurred after a private July party at the Hard Rock's Mortoni's restaurant, Hard Rock lawyer Jeff Silver said.

"It wasn't that people were misbehaving all over the property," Silver said. "The party at Mortoni's attracted a crowd of young people wearing (revealing) clothing, and later in the evening some of the party-goers went to the Baby's nightclub, where people engaged in sexually suggestive behavior."

The Hard Rock had added temporary security staff for the evening, and they were present when a woman removed her top, exposing her breasts, while others engaged in "inappropriate" acts, Silver said.

One incident saw two women kissing and fondling each other, said a source who requested anonymity.

"Their hands were moving over places they shouldn't have been," the source said.

Siller declined to describe the sexual act he viewed on the Hard Rock's surveillance tape.

"If you watch the tape, in my mind, it was a sex act," Siller said.

A property surveillance worker noticed the sexual activity when it happened and alerted Hard Rock security officers.

"The regular security guard radioed the private security officer, but the private security watching the activity said 'We have it under control,' " Silver said, "but they allowed the activity to continue."

Siller said he met with recently appointed Hard Rock Chief Operating Officer Don Marrandino to discuss the property's plan to prevent a repeat of such incidents.

"Mr. Marrandino was very cooperative," Siller said. "He knows that marketing to their young niche requires a strategy to make sure there is effective security, oversight and (regulatory) compliance."

Marrandino declined to comment and referred questions about the incidents to Silver.

Each control board member received the Hard Rock's response to the panel's order. If at least two of the three board members agree the incidents merits disciplinary action, the control board could file a formal complaint against the property.

The Nevada Gaming Commission would consider the matter and mete out punishment, which could include fines and a requirement that the Hard Rock prevent future incidents.

Meantime, Palms owner George Maloof said his property's employees are trained to prevent nudity and inappropriate behavior in public areas.

"If someone's out of line, we don't tolerate it," Maloof said. "We want people to come and have fun, but we don't want people to act in a way that would make our guests uncomfortable. If people won't stay in line, they'd have to leave."

No Palms customers have been asked to leave the property for public nudity or sexual behavior, Maloof said.

In November, The Palms deployed a group of 10 nude models who had their bodies painted as a part of the property's grand opening celebration.

"I was initially a little skeptical because I thought the idea might be too risqué," Maloof explained, "but it was a good idea. They got a great response, and we had no complaints."

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