Casino Charged With Letting Minor Gamble

In what appears to be the first case of its kind, Nevada authorities have charged a top Las Vegas casino with allowing a minor to gamble in an incident in which a 19-year-old lost more than $6,200 in three hours of pre-dawn play at the blackjack tables.

The incident occurred at Bally’s Las Vegas, known as one of the Strip’s most resolutely adult-oriented casino-hotels. Bally’s--which faces fines of $10,000 to $250,000 on each of three administrative counts of permitting a minor to gamble or loiter--says the youthful blackjack player appeared to be an adult.

“We do not knowingly allow underage kids to gamble,” said Dale Darrough, the hotel’s senior vice president of casino operations.

The case follows increasingly stern warnings to Las Vegas casinos from Nevada gaming officials about children being allowed to loiter near slot machines and table games. On Aug. 15, William A. Bible, chairman of the state Gaming Control Board, sent a letter to all the state’s casinos cautioning against lax supervision of minors.

The problem has mushroomed this year, gaming officials say, as Las Vegas’s efforts to market itself as a family vacation spot have attracted a record number of visitors with children.

State regulations prohibit anyone under 21 from gambling or loitering in a casino. Underage patrons may cross the floor if they are in transit to another part of the building. But crowds have been so heavy this summer that many observers doubt that any casino could deploy enough staff to adequately monitor the situation.

As detailed in the gaming board’s complaint, the Bally’s episode involved 19-year-old Jerry R. Pozucek Jr. of Las Vegas, who played blackjack from 3 to 6 a.m. July 14 in the company of two friends ages 19 and 20.

Pozucek occasionally bet more than $100 a hand, said his lawyer, Robert Kossack, who added that none of the three dealers who played with Pozucek questioned his age. Although Pozucek did all or most of the betting, the lawyer said, about $5,000 of his stake came from one of the friends.

Pozucek had not gambled at a casino before, but had practiced his blackjack skills on a computer game, Kossack said.

After the long night of losing, Kossack notified Bally’s that Pozucek was a minor and demanded restitution. So far, the hotel has declined.

Pozucek “looked 35,” said one Bally’s executive.

“He’s 5 feet, 5 1/2 inches, with a short haircut,” Kossack said. “He looks 16.”

Under Nevada law, both parties could be found in the wrong--Pozucek and his companions for playing and Bally’s for not ejecting them from the casino. Kossack said his client has not been charged with underage gambling, a misdemeanor.