Nevada Gaming Commission: Doctor tapped for gaming post

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- A Las Vegas physician whose father was a longtime casino executive was chosen Wednesday to replace a former state legislator on the Nevada Gaming Commission.

Gov. Jim Gibbons appointed Dr. Tony Alamo Jr. to a four-year term on the regulatory and policymaking panel. He replaces former state Sen. Ray Rawson, whose term expires next month. Rawson, who was appointed to the Gaming Commission in 2005 by former Gov. Kenny Guinn, had sought reappointment.

The five-member, part-time commission sets policy and acts upon recommendations from the full-time, three-member Gaming Control Board. The position pays $40,000 annually.

Alamo, 43, served as a member of the Nevada Athletic Commission for almost eight years, including the last two years as chairman. Gibbons replaced Alamo on the panel in October when his term expired.

"The governor approached me and wanted to know if I was interested and, of course, I said yes," Alamo said. "I'm pleased to be able to have served on two commissions, both of which are so important to the state."

Alamo, who specializes in internal medicine, has never worked in the gaming industry. He did have a part-time summer job while in high school delivering gambling chips to casinos.

His father is longtime Circus Circus and Mandalay Resort Group executive Tony Alamo Sr., who retired from the industry in 2005 when MGM Mirage completed a $7.9 billion buyout of Mandalay. Alamo Sr. played key roles in the construction and operations of several Mandalay Resort casinos, including Mandalay Bay.

"I'm a physician and my father made it very clear to me that I was going to be a doctor," Alamo said. "Since day one, medicine has been my passion, but I also understand the significance of the gaming industry."

In a statement, Gibbons said Nevada would "benefit from (Alamo's) business experience and knowledge."

Alamo won't take his seat until May. However, he plans to attend the panel's meeting March 20 in Las Vegas and the April meeting in Carson City.

"I'm fortunate my appointment was announced early," Alamo said. "I intend to get my feet wet early and hit the ground running."

Alamo said he knows fellow gaming commissioners Radha Chanderraj and Art Marshall and is acquainted with commission Chairman Pete Bernhard.

In addition to his role with the athletic commission, Alamo served as chief of staff at Sunrise Hospital from 2002 to 2004 and was chairman of the Medical Advisory Board for the athletic commission in 2000. He is now chief of staff for St. Rose San Martin Hospital.

Rawson said he had expressed interest to the governor's staff in being reappointed.

"I talked with the governor yesterday, we had a pleasant conversation and we came to good terms on it," Rawson said. "I think Tony is a great appointment. He's very bright and he'll do a good job."

Alamo is Gibbons' third gaming regulatory appointment. Soon after a midnight swearing-in ceremony in January 2007, Gibbons undid Guinn's appointment of Keith Munro to an open seat on the Gaming Control Board, replacing the choice with Randy Sayre.

Gibbons also reappointed Bernhard to a new four-year term.