State Panel Approves Of Casinos In Las Vegas Arena Project

Nevada Committee Allows Casinos To Be Part Of Downtown Arena Project

Proponents of a proposed sports arena in downtown Las Vegas “overcame a potential deal-killer” yesterday when the Review Panel of the Nevada Gaming Policy Committee unanimously “upheld a plan to allow casinos as part of the project,” according to Benjamin Spillman of the LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL.  The panel upheld the Las Vegas City Council’s earlier decision "to allow gaming near the proposed arena site."  An attorney for Michigan-based developer REI Neon said that the $9.5B project “would have been in jeopardy” without casinos.  Panel member Peter Bernhard said, “This is very unusual for a body of appointed people to look over the shoulders of elected officials" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 7/26).