I visited my favorite 'fine dining' spot the other evening not to 'fine dine' but to get my compt and weekly pizza and Ellis Island, home -made, beer fix.

Having eaten my slice of pineapple pizza and with a beer in hand I walked over to the norrth end of this fine gambling hall to take a seat and have another beer or two in the newly (but sparsely) redone (can't call it 'remodeled') bar whose name I am not familiar with.

Having gotten one foot inside I was politely, but promptly stopped by a security guard who requested my ID.

I'm in my 70's so I politely laughed and kept on walking, but the guard got a bit more serious and said, "Honest, sir, I need to see your ID"!.

So I promptly questioned what was definitely stupidity in my own mind and somewhat politely refused!

And that polite but avid refusal got me barred from entering what appeared to be a bar with no patrons in it.

So I asked to speak to the person in authority who initiated this very dumb policy and was referred to Ken ... "The tall guy with the black shirt over there."

I introduced myself with a question..... "Why are you making rules that get people irritated?"

And after a formal introduction and a few more heated words .... here is what I found out from the gentleman in the black shirt.

"If a gaming inspector entered Ellis Island and asked to see your ID, and if you didn't have that ID, we (Ellis Island) would be fined $5,000 for allowing you to be in here! Regardless of your age!"

I retorted,"Why would anyone in their right mind fine Ellis Island, when I am the person who is breaking the law and should be fined?"

(Is there a law on the books that all people must carry an ID on their person outside of the confines of their own homes?)

This polite but serious discussion left me with lots of questions.

And maybe some of you Talk Vegas folks can drum up some answers.

1. Do drinking establishments have the right to disallow entry to drinkers past their prime who are evidently over 70, neatly attired, and completely sober?

2. Can the gaming control board actually fine a casino $5,000 if they find anyone in that casino without an ID?

3. Wasn't it something like this that took place in Germany many years ago when a guy with a mustache was in control? (A bit of an exaggeration - I know!)

4. And how come Ellis Island and all the other Las Vegas casinos don't have a security guard at every entrance making sure that no one enters without the proper ID?

I was also told that the casino would have to ID anyone who died within that casino (God forbid!) and they would not be able to do so unless that dead guy had an ID in his wallet.

Something seems pretty stupid there.

I just hope it ain't me.

Will, I'm surprised with you. I thought you had more respect for authority and understood that when you are someone else's house, you should play by their rules. If you don't like those rules, don't go to that house. It is a funny story though. I think it all boils down to public property vs private property.

Should they card you at 70 years old. Probably not. What about 69? What about 68? What about 33? Where do you draw the line? And if they drew the line at 33, what about the people that claim they easily look 35?

The gaming control board can do just about they anything they want to do...and often do.

The guy in Germany was out of hand. OTOH, I'm all in for what they are doing in Arizona and wish they would do it on all the borders.

I think that if you put yourself in the realistic position of the Ellis Island employees, that's not what they really want to do. The guys probably have a big ole list of things that they would rather be doing than harassing you. But once you refused to show your ID, you ruffled their feathers, they took it personal, stood an even tighter ground.

The whole reason this is an issue comes from our neighbors to the west in the land of frivolous law suits. This is a frivolous issue and businesses have to protect their back. Again, once you challenged the frivolous issue, common sense is not an option.

Recently I've been to a couple of places, with signs stating "We ID ALL Patrons" and yes I have seen 70+ year olds get asked for ID when ordering an alcoholic beverage. I believe there is a law on the books that states in order to be served and consume alcohol in an establishment that has a liquor license that you must have ID with you regardless of age.

So by them checking your ID, they are just making sure you are complying with the law while on their property, it's a CYA thing. Now is it good business practice? I would think not, but with the risk of a heavy fine and possible loss of their license I can see where they are coming from.

let's see will-you have been thrown out of ellis-boycotting places that don't pay 3/2 on blackjack-you must be down to slurpy martinis at 7/11<G>

Slurpy martini's at 7/11???

Now that's one I'll have to try some day. Does it go good with sushi?

please tell me 7-11 isn't selling sushi!

Hey this is Vegas baby...you never know what you might find at 7-11. LOL!!!

I think I'll pass, thank you very much!

You gonna pass on cheap liquor, two bit hookers and a ride with lady luck at 7-11???

Must be mellowing out in your old age. LOL!!!

No, just learning "I ain't bullet proof" is all.

Or learning "I'm married again so it's time to settle down" LOL!!!