Downtown Vegas casinos are hit with complaint

John Wilen

Tuesday, June 8, 1999 | 10:51 a.m.

The state Gaming Control Board filed a 15-count complaint against Sassy Sally's and Coin Castle, two downtown casinos owned by Herb Pastor, alleging employees improperly hustle business, direct patrons to play certain machines and then demand tips when the machines pay out.

The complaint, filed May 26, details seven instances in which customers and undercover board agents gambled in the two properties. In each case, casino employees told the patrons and agents to play certain machines that were "hot," despite the fact that the employees could not possibly tell when a machine was going to hit a jackpot, alleges the complaint. When the patrons and agents won jackpots, alleges the complaint, Sassy Sally's and Coin Castle employees demanded tips in specific amounts.

The alleged activities represent unsuitable methods of operation, states the complaint. Each count carries a possible fine of $100,000, meaning the complaint could result in a $1.5 million fine and revocation of both properties' gaming licenses.

Pastor could not immediately be reached for comment.

The complaint is the Board's latest against the Pastor-owned properties. In 1991, the Board filed an Order to Show Cause against Sassy Sally's and Coin Castle, alleging employees of the properties hustled business into the casinos by a variety of means, including "'begging' and/or 'physically dragging' the patron into the casino."

Once inside, alleged that order, employees then directed patrons to specific machines. If they machines hit, they "'hustle' or 'badger"' patrons into paying tips as high as $100, alleged the 1991 order. The order also alleged that "some patrons have been induced to play certain slot machines based upon the change personnel exposing themselves or promising sexual favors in return for continued play on the machines."

Pastor took steps to deter that misconduct, according to the May 26 complaint. But when James Gish appeared before the Board on an application to be gaming manager at both Sassy Sally's and Coin Castle in July 1996, Board members questioned him about 43 additional complaints of tip hustling and other incidents.

By July 1998, when Gish appeared before the Board to extend his general manager's license, the Board questioned him about eleven additional incidents. That, in part, led the Board to revoke Gish's gaming license. Board members were also concerned about sexually oriented Internet sites allegedly maintained by Gish.

The seven incidents detailed in the May 26 complaint all took place since Gish's hearing last July. Two occurred in August, 1998, and four occurred in March, 1999, alleges the complaint.