Video-gaming supplier Accel Entertainment has been granted a two-year license by the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC), shortly after the company announced that it had appointed Dennis Neilander to lead its compliance committee. Neilander previously served as chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB).
This ruling will enable Accel to complete a deal to acquire Century Gaming Technologies by the end of the month. The $140 million deal will allow Illinois-based Accel to move into the Nevada and Montana gaming markets.
In addition to Neilander, Accel has also brought in the law firm Covington & Burlington and former Illinois Gaming Control Board (IGCB) member Dee Robinson to help with compliance matters. The company will also partner with the International Center for Gaming Research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to develop best practices.
Accel recently faced scrutiny from the NGCB regarding previous compliance issues in their home state of Illinois, including a sexual harassment case and a $5 million fine that was imposed by the IGCB for violations related to machine incentives.
The other main point of contention for Accel has to do with Vincenzo Dublino, a gaming handler and salesman rumored to be involved with the Chicago mob whom Accel reportedly tried to hire. In 2010, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that Dublino was granted immunity in the racketeering trial of Michael Samo after testifying that he sold illegal gaming machines to bars in the Chicago area. At the time, Accel was ordered to “disassociate” from Dublino by the IGCB.
Multiple NGC members voiced concerns over the Dublino incident, including Commissioner Steven Cohen, who called the situation “troublesome.” Cohen said that these considerations were why the limited license was proposed.
Accel’s general counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, Derek Harmer, told the commission during the hearing that the company had heard the NGCB’s criticism and made the requisite changes.
“Since our last hearing, we have accelerated some of the items previously on our to-do list to illustrate that we heard you loud and clear on the steps that need to be taken on reaching Nevada’s gold standard of compliance,” said Harmer.
