All your paychecks are belong to us?

[sactoking]

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LAS VEGAS (AP) -- A top Nevada top gambling regulator said the state Legislature could consider lowering the minimum gambling age from 21 to 18 to help boost state gambling revenue.

State Gaming Control Board Chairman Dennis Neilander and Nevada Gaming Commission Chairman Peter Bernhard said they neither supported nor opposed the idea.

But Neilander told gambling industry lawyers at a conference sponsored by the State Bar of Nevada last Friday that he would take the suggestion to state Sen. Steven Horsford, the new Democratic majority leader, and Assembly Democratic Speaker Barbara Buckley.

The question was raised by Thomas Smock, a lawyer for slot machine maker Aristocrat Technologies Inc. He said some 12 million Americans ages 18 to 21 years old could be allowed to gamble if the law was changed.

Smock told the Las Vegas Sun on Monday that he wasn't representing Aristocrat with the question. He said he thought the discussion was relevant during the current economic slump, and noted that 18-year-olds vote and serve in the military.

"I personally feel that this is a way that additional revenue could be generated, and if that means keeping our teachers employed and not cutting the state budget any further, I think it should at least be discussed," he said.

Neilander said the proposal would get intense scrutiny from groups concerned about problem gambling and underage players.

Nevada law currently makes it a misdemeanor for anyone under the age of 21 to gamble.

But the age in some tribal casinos in California is 18. In Arizona, voters in 2002 raised the gambling age from 18 to 21 with a gambling expansion initiative.

I know that Indian Casinos in other states usually let you play if 18, but Vegas is THE destination for gambling, Reno sucks a lot of money out of the NoCals, Jackpot takes a lot from the Ida-hos, and Wendover bleeds the Coke-drinking portion of Utah. This would probably guarantee that I'd never have to pay state income tax for as long as I live in this crappy state.

 

[OCGuy]

Some of the Indian casions in Socal are 18. I still dont understand why we differentiate between 18 and 21. An adult is an adult is an adult.

 

[CrazyLazy]

I thought the age already was 18? You can buy lotto tickets at 18 right? How are casinos any different?

 

[sactoking]

Originally posted by: CrazyLazy
I thought the age already was 18? You can buy lotto tickets at 18 right? How are casinos any different?

It's been 21 in Nevada for a long time (forever?). It helps, since casinos give free drinks to anyone who is playing. Lowering it to 18 would increase gambling revenue and taxes, but would be a pain when you get carded for drinks all the time or *gasp* actually have to start paying for them.

 

[Newbian]

The problem with most Casinos and the reason they have 21 is because of the drinking age.

 

[kranky]

Yet at the same time, Congress is talking about banning the issuance of credit cards to people under 21.

I think a combination of easy-to-get credit cards and casino access is going to put a hurt on a lot of 18-21 year olds. Well, probably more so on their parents, who will desperately work to pay off the credit cards to keep Junior's credit score from going in the dumper.

From what I read here, everyone has superior gambling skills anyway, so maybe I'm mistaken.

 

[OCGuy]

Originally posted by: kranky
Yet at the same time, Congress is talking about banning the issuance of credit cards to people under 21.

I think a combination of easy-to-get credit cards and casino access is going to put a hurt on a lot of 18-21 year olds. Well, probably more so on their parents, who will desperately work to pay off the credit cards to keep Junior's credit score from going in the dumper.

From what I read here, everyone has superior gambling skills anyway, so maybe I'm mistaken.

An 18 year old is a legal adult. Government has no business putting restrictions on them.

Parents are not required to help 18 year olds pay bills. If they do, that is a personal choice.

 

[kranky]

Originally posted by: Ocguy31

Originally posted by: kranky
Yet at the same time, Congress is talking about banning the issuance of credit cards to people under 21.

I think a combination of easy-to-get credit cards and casino access is going to put a hurt on a lot of 18-21 year olds. Well, probably more so on their parents, who will desperately work to pay off the credit cards to keep Junior's credit score from going in the dumper.

From what I read here, everyone has superior gambling skills anyway, so maybe I'm mistaken.

An 18 year old is a legal adult. Government has no business putting restrictions on them.

Parents are not required to help 18 year olds pay bills. If they do, that is a personal choice.

No kidding. And I agree that there shouldn't be a law keeping 18 year olds out of casinos or from getting credit. I said there are going to be a lot of young people digging a hole they can't get out of. I saw plenty of students get into financial trouble gambling in college, and credit cards weren't even part of the equation.

 

[EagleKeeper]

What is keeping you here.

If you do not like the state, go where you are comfortable.

 

[JS80]

lol i can't wait to see some 18 year old win the WSOP

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

It's 20 here, and drinking age is 18 so no problems there. But there are far fewer restrictions on gambling here.

Edit - you have to be 20 to be in a casino. Anyone can buy a lotto ticket, 18 to buy scratch tickets, 18 for sports gambling.

 

[FDF12389]

I support it 100%.

Will kids fuck up? Yes.

Hopefully learn from it too, lets start giving 18 y/o the responsibility they need to become responsible adults.

 

[IronWing]

Three years worth of younger women in the casinos might be good for business.

Then again, the only casino I've ever been in had an average age of closer to seventy.