The alleged licensing violations by a Long Island casino are not the fault of Delaware North, the company said after Suffolk Off-Track Betting Corp. made that assertion earlier this month.
Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel in Islandia is facing fines for employing as many as 26 individuals who either did not have a gaming license or were working under expired New York licenses, according to the New York State Gaming Commission.
But, Suffolk OTB, which owns Jake’s 58, claims the licensing concerns “date back to when Delaware North ran Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel,” according to Suffolk OTB CEO Phil Boyle.
But that statement is in serious doubt, in light of a response PlayNY received from Delaware North, which apparently only managed Jake’s 58 for a few months several years ago.
Delaware North ‘strongly committed to gaming compliance’
In a statement from Glen White, director of corporate communications for Delaware North, the company stressed its dedication to responsible practices:
“Delaware North operated gaming at Jake’s 58 under a management contract with Suffolk Regional Off-Track Betting (SROTB) from the venue’s opening in February 2017 to May 2021,” White said.
“Delaware North did not receive any notices of employee licensing violations during its period of managing Jake’s 58 on behalf of SROTB. Delaware North is strongly committed to gaming compliance, including employee licensing, at our casinos and other gaming venues in New York, seven other states and Australia.”
The NYSGC has completed its investigation of the matter, and fined Suffolk OTB for the alleged Jake’s 58 violations to the tune of $1,000 per employee who had licensing problems.
Jake’s 58 owner looks to move on from indiscretions
The $26,000 fine has been stayed until Suffolk OTB has time to appeal the decision. However, the company appears ready to also put the matter behind it.
“It is our intention to address [these alleged violations],” Boyle said, “resolve them and become a statewide model for other casinos to follow regarding gaming license compliance.”
The bad publicity from the alleged violations might be more damaging than a protracted bickering over responsibility for the indiscretions. Seeing as how Delaware North has not been involved with Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel in more than three years, it’s curious that Suffolk OTB would point a finger in their direction.
The appeal of the fines has not been scheduled by NYSGC.
