Nevada Gaming Commission denies license to Rio dad or mum firm government Eder | Casinos & Gaming

When Dreamscape Companies Inc. President and Chief Financial Officer John Eder arrived at Thursday’s Nevada Gaming Commission assembly, he was comparatively assured that he was going to be licensed as an officer of the corporate that oversees the off-Strip Rio property.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board two weeks earlier had unanimously beneficial a conditioned license after a prolonged suitability listening to, which means he could be licensed, however required to return for a regulatory assessment in two years if accepted by the Gaming Commission.

But as an alternative, commissioners voted 3-2 to disclaim a license to Eder, placing his gaming profession in jeopardy.

Licensed corporations are prohibited from hiring or partnering with denied candidates. Eder will be a part of a listing of 149 denials, revocations and findings of unsuitability posted by the fee from January 1980 by June 2025.

In a Monday e mail, Eder’s legal professional, Frank Schreck, mentioned there’s no proper to attraction the Gaming Commission’s denial discovering.

“Mr. Eder and Dreamscape are currently evaluating their options,” Schreck mentioned in his e mail.

Eder was amongst three executives into account for licensing within the Dreamscape listening to.

Two others accepted

Patrick Miller, president and CEO of the Rio, and Christopher Balaban, chief monetary officer of the property, had been up for licensing as key executives. In separate votes, commissioners unanimously accepted their requests.

But when Eder was questioned in fee testimony, regulators zeroed in on his work historical past with Seminole Gaming and its Hard Rock Hotel enterprise the place Eder labored for 20 years.

Hard Rock at the moment is constructing a guitar-shaped lodge tower on the Strip, and redesigning what as soon as was The Mirage.

Citing state statute, the Gaming Control Board denied the Review-Journal entry to its brokers’ investigative report on Eder’s utility.

But throughout greater than 1½ hours of testimony earlier than regulators, Eder defined how he was fired three years in the past by Hard Rock for accepting a European journey from an insurance coverage firm vendor who Eder described as a private pal.

“I spent 20 years working my way up to CFO of Seminole Gaming,” Eder informed commissioners. “Never had a blemish on my record. I know I made a serious error in accepting the gifts, compounded with lack of judgment and being untruthful about the repayment.”

Eder had informed his bosses that he was paying again the price of the journey, which included airfare, practice tickets and stays in a luxurious lodge.

Eder mentioned he regretted “making a bad decision” and that he misplaced fame and integrity along with his job.

‘Angry with myself’

“I’m indignant with myself for these unhealthy choices. And I pay for these actions of termination of my employment. I misplaced my job. I misplaced cash. I misplaced the chance to proceed to work with the tribe. And these aren’t small objects. “

Commissioner Abbi Silver, a former Nevada Supreme Court justice, mentioned based mostly on state statutes, she couldn’t vote to approve Eder’s utility.

“I don’t doubt that you’re not remorseful, but obviously under NRS 463.170, an application must not be granted unless the commission is satisfied that the applicant is ‘a person of good character, honesty and integrity.’ You were CFO of a company where you breached your fiduciary duties and lied to your president. And within three years, you’re before us now wanting to get back into gaming. I have grave concerns about you being a person of good character, honesty and integrity.”

When it got here time to vote, commissioners mentioned the potential of referring the matter again to the Control Board for reconsideration and the attainable withdrawal of the licensing request.

Silver’s movement for denial was backed by Commissioner George Markantonis, however opposed by Commissioners Brian Krolicki and Rosa Solis-Rainey. That left the ultimate determination to Chairwoman Jennifer Togliatti, a former Clark County District Court choose, who additionally voted in favor of denial.

Contact Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893. Follow @RickVelotta on X.