Nevada Regulators Propose Solution for Armed Casino Security Shortage

Summary:

• The Nevada Gaming Control Board addressed the shortage of armed casino security following the latest FBI rule change.
• The Board recommended the Nevada Gaming Commission approve the regulatory changes during October’s meeting.
• The proposal would allow county sheriff’s departments to run background checks instead of the Board.

Starting this spring, casinos in Las Vegas have been dealing with a shortage of armed security officers as a result of a change in FBI regulations which prohibited regulators from using a federal database to run background checks on armed security officers about to be hired or whose licenses required renewal.

The shortage is soon to be resolved as, on Wednesday, the Nevada Gaming Control Board issued a recommendation for the Nevada Gaming Commission to give the green light to a series of regulatory changes during October’s meeting.

The proposed changes would simplify the way casinos hire and retain armed guards by enabling applicants for concealed carry permits (CCP) to undergo background checks via their county sheriff’s department instead of following the standard Gaming Control Board route.

Temporary Registration for Four Months

While waiting for the results of their background check, armed guards would receive temporary registration for a total of 120 days.
During this time, the registration could be revoked or denied provided it does not come back in time.

The temporary CCW registration would enable guards to start working while the full vetting process is underway.

Another proposed change from the Board refers to active-duty and retired law enforcement officers in good standing who would be allowed to bypass the new procedure and obtain their licenses straight away.

The meeting follows last month’s incident in which a man stabbed two Red Rock Resort staff members before he was shot and injured by a security guard.

The man is now facing charges of attempted murder and battery with the use of a deadly weapon.

Guests’ and Team Members’ Security, “of Paramount Importance”

Nevada Resort Association’s president, Virginia Valentine, applauded the Board’s quick action, adding the regulatory change would be used to maintain proper staffing levels for new hires and renewals.

“The security of our team members and guests is of paramount importance”, Valentine said, while also mentioning the Red Rock example that once again proved that armed security guards can make a “big difference”.

Board Chair Kirk Hendrick also explained the critical importance of taking care of the problem as soon as possible, acknowledging police departments cannot be constantly present at the venues and reiterating armed and unarmed security with qualified backgrounds can be used to ensure public safety.

Similarly, MGM Resorts International executive director of special operations Ray Steiber stressed that public safety will remain a top priority for the company’s thousands of employees and the millions of guests at all 14 gaming and non-gaming properties on the Strip.

Steiber also took the opportunity to express support for the proposed regulations, which would enable them to better equip their security officers.

The Board’s enforcement division chief, Kristi Torgerson, added the proposed regulatory changes would enable sheriff’s departments to conduct much more comprehensive background checks covering “mental health issues and people out of the country”.

Torgerson further explained that, for Las Vegas properties, Metro Police will be responsible for doing warrant checks on all 50 states, searching for people entering the US from other countries that the Board cannot currently address.