Trump's bid for Sydney casino 30 years ago rejected due to 'mafia connections

[Jim Lane]

10. I don't think that's accurate.

Here's my recollection: The issue was that getting a gaming license can take a while. If an opportunity arises to buy or buy into an existing casino, or if you want to build a new one, the time involved in the licensing process may mean that the opportunity goes away. Therefore, if you think you might find yourself in that position, a solution (not unique to Trump) is to make a smaller purchase that requires licensing. The purpose is to go through the investigation and review process, and thus to have a license in your back pocket in case it becomes useful. Trump's Riviera stock purchase was small enough that he didn't need the top-level casino license, but even getting the more limited license would mean that much of the investigative work would already have been done, thus speeding the process if he later wanted a full license.

So it wasn't an attempt to get around the gaming board. It was more like the opposite -- an attempt to subject himself to the investigation and licensing process. According to the article that I linked (from the Las Vegas Sun), the attempt was successful, and he was granted the license.