Becky Harris said Nevada casino operators have been supportive of the prospective sexual harassment policies.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board plans to unveil statewide sexual harassment regulations in the coming weeks, as most casino companies have agreed that new policies would be helpful.
Becky Harris, chairperson of the NGCB, said she plans to talk to casino operators in northern Nevada and south Nevada at least one more time before announcing those policies – but support is widespread among the business community. Earlier this year, Wynn Resorts founder and former CEO Steve Wynn had to resign due to dozens of sexual harassment allegations against him.
During the Las Vegas Culinary Union’s negotiations with MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, and other casino companies in Las Vegas, the union bargained for more protection from sexual harassment. The policies in the new collective bargaining agreement included panic buttons for house cleaners and other vulnerable workers, along with human resources policies to protect those who come forward with allegations.
Now it appears that Nevada officials might look into statewide sexual harassment policies for casinos.
NGCB’s Sexual Harassment Policies
After recent events involving head casino moguls, Nevada’s Gaming Control Board (NGCB) plans to set some rules regarding sexual harassment in the workplace. According to the state’s chief gambling regulator, Becky Harris, casino executives and workers seem to be on board with it.
Becky Harris said she is working on reviewing a revised draft of the proposed regulations and will release it for public comment soon. If implemented, this would be the first time the industry has looked towards a set regulation for harassment.
Harris said, “We have β I think β an improved method for how sexual harassment claims might be reported to the board should those regulations be enacted. I don’t have exact timing with regard to when the updated sexual harassment regulations will be circulated. I have a new draft and need to read it.”
The new regulation will apply to any and all licensees. Nevada’s large casino operators have already said to have met most of the criteria proposed by the Board.
Widespread Industry-Led Support for Change
The support for the new sexual harassment regulations have been great, according to Becky Harris. She said operators have voiced support for new policies without being pressured. Harris said casino companies throughout the state have shown a high interest and support for the issue.
The NGCB chairwoman said there are plans to hold at least one more workshop for both southern Nevada and northern Nevada, so regulators can gather more input regarding the plans for regulation.
Harris praised Nevada’s gaming groups, stating, “We have some very supportive licensees who want to make sure that however the board chooses to handle this matter that it is done in a thoughtful, fair way. The licensees have really stepped up.”
Steve Wynn Scandal Leads to Regulations
Back in January of this year the Wall Street Journal reported that several women claimed that Steve Wynn had harassed or assaulted them. One of the claims even resulted in a $7.5 million settlement.
The move to adopt the regulations comes after the Wall Street Journal reported in January that several women said Wynn harassed or assaulted them and that one case led to a $7.5 million settlement.
The allegations came from several women who worked for Steve Wynn in his resorts’ salons. Each reported a pattern of inappropriate behavior by their boss while they working for him. According to The Wall Street Journal, the misconduct had occurred for decades. Many suggested that Wynn would use his power to pressure his manicurists and massage therapists into sexual favors.
Wall Street Journal Expose
The Wall Street Journal article stated, “Former employees said their awareness of Wynn’s power in Las Vegas, combined with the knowledge that the jobs they held were among the best-paying available there, added up to a feeling of dependence and intimidation when Wynn made requests of them.
“Some said that feeling was heightened at times by the presence in a confined office space of one or more of his German shepherds, trained to respond to commands in German.”
Steve Wynn Denies Allegations
Wynn has continued to deny all allegations to this day. At the time of the initial claims he said, “The idea that I ever assaulted any woman is preposterous. We find ourselves in a world where people can make allegations, regardless of the truth, and a person is left with the choice of weathering insulting publicity or engaging in multi-year lawsuits.”
Since the initial set of allegations, Steve Wynn has put the blame on his former wife, Elaine Wynn, saying that he believed the Wall Street Journal expose to be “[the] continued work of my ex-wife Elaine Wynn, with whom I am involved in a terrible and nasty lawsuit in which she is seeking a revised settlement.”
The former casino mogul added, “Elaine has explicitly threatened to slander and destroy me, and I am surprised that the media in allowing itself to be used to advance this agenda.”
In the months since the allegations were published, Steve Wynn has launched lawsuits against the Association Press, an AP reporter who made unfounded or improbable allegations, and a Las Vegas law firm involved in the scandal. Wynn never has filed a lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal, though.
Wynn Resorts Internal Probe
On February 6, 2017, soon after the allegations against him were filled Wynn resigned as chairman and CEO of Wynn Resorts. Last month he resigned from his position as Republican National Committee finance chair.
Wynn confirmed his resignation as finance chair saying: ββThe unbelievable success we have achieved must continue. The work we are doing to make America a better place is too important to be impaired by this distraction.”
Regulators in both Nevada and Massachusetts continue to investigate the allegations against the former casino owner. According to Harris, the Nevada regulatory board is finishing up its investigation and is set to be done within the next two months.
Wynn Resorts, however, has said they have finished up their internal investigation into the matter. Details have yet to be released to the public following the investigation, but the findings will be shared with gambling regulators. When asked about Wynn’s internal investigation, Becky Harris said, “It is confidential.”
