Like a gambler on a win streak, the Venetian was on top when the Nevada Gaming Commission approved its plans Thursday for its new private gaming salons.
Commissioners unanimously praised the Strip resort for its marketing plan to reach out to Asian high rollers.
But minutes later, the Venetian took one on the chin, having to apologize for letting an underage player gamble and drink alcoholic beverages in its casino. Commissioners approved the settlement agreement between the state Gaming Control Board and the resort and an accompanying fine of $10,000.
"We take these matters very seriously," said Carol Wetzel, an associate general counsel for the Venetian in her apology to the board.
Wetzel and regulators noted that the resort self-reported the violation after six staff members came into contact with the 19-year-old who played table games for an hour and was served a drink before he was finally caught when cashing in his chips.
Wetzel said she did not know how much the minor had won, but it was termed a small amount.
Asked how the resort would prevent underage gambling from occurring in the future, Wetzel said staff members had received "verbal coaching" on how to spot potentially underage players. She said the six employees who came in contact with the boy -- three different dealers, a cocktail waitress, a floor person and a security guard overseeing a chip fill -- were not disciplined for the mistake.
The Gaming Control Board's complaint said the minor had a California driver's license showing his birth date as May 16, 1984, and stating that he turned 21 in 2005.
While the underage gambling matter was a low point for the Venetian on Thursday, minutes earlier commissioners were singing the praises of the resort for its plans to develop two private salons, including one on the resort's 36th floor marketed as the Paiza Club.
Frederick Kraus, vice president and general counsel for the Venetian, explained that the Paiza Club name is a tribute to the historic link between China and the Italian city of Venice. In 1266, Kublai Khan was said to have given Italian explorer Marco Polo a foot-long golden tablet known as a "paiza" that served as a VIP passport in his travels throughout China.
Members of the Venetian's Paiza Club will get a humidor full of gifts and will be allowed to play behind closed doors. State lawmakers approved legislation that allows players with $500,000 in front money of a $500,000 line of credit to gamble in private parlors. Officials are hoping the closed-door perk would encourage them to gamble in Nevada.
Kraus said that when the Venetian made plans to develop the Paiza Club, the resort envisioned it would result in additional annual revenue of more than $5 million. That's when the resort expanded its plans and decided to build a second private parlor on the ground floor off the casino's baccarat pit.
Commissioners approved both parlors in a unanimous vote.
In other business Thursday, the commission approved a second disciplinary settlement against a small Las Vegas restaurant for operating more slot machines than they were permitted to have and agreed to overturn a Control Board ruling on a claim for a tax refund.
Commissioners unanimously approved a settlement between the state and the Mayan Bar and Grill and a $5,000 fine against the restaurant for operating 10 slot machines when only five had been authorized.
In another matter, commissioners approved a tax refund of about $100,000 for the Barbary Coast Hotel and Casino and restaurant lessee Drai's on the Strip. The dispute involved the resort's claim that it had overpaid taxes in late 2003 when a new entertainment tax took effect.
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