Larry Flynt, founder of Hustler magazine, plans a late-summer reopening for his shuttered California cardroom. The Lucky Lady Casino in Gardena, California, has been closed since July 15, 2019, when the roof collapsed, injuring 11 people, though none seriously. The 50,000-square-foot building was nearly 80 years old last year when the weight of air-conditioners apparently proved to be too much for the roof. It has been closed ever since.
Flynt, publisher and president of Larry Flynt Publications, acquired the property in June 2016 and invested more than $5 million on renovations before reopening the casino in July 2018 under its new name.
Now, the Lucky Lady is filling more than 400 positions in order to hold a grand reopening sometime this summer.
“With so many people out of work and who have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 virus, we are fortunate that we can offer a large number of positions, bring a new team aboard, and give people some security at a time when it is needed most,” said Flynt.
All applications will be taken via the Lucky Lady’s website, with phone and virtual interviews to follow. When the state eases restrictions regarding lockdowns, the company will work with the city of Gardena to ensure it is following all guidelines concerning in-person interviews and the training for those hired.
Earlier this week, Flynt won a battle in his fight against a longstanding California law that prohibits Golden State cardroom owners from investing in out-of-state casinos. The law, passed in 1986, was intended to keep organized crime out of legal California cardrooms, but Flynt’s legal team argued that the law “outlived its purpose,” now that casinos are thoroughly regulated to prevent infiltration by organized crime, and that it denied Flynt and other investors from expanding their gambling portfolios beyond California’s borders.
The federal judge in the case denied state attorneys’ attempts to dismiss Flynt’s lawsuit, and gave the state 20 days to amend the complaint.
