Local News in Brief : Normandie Casino Faces Audit

The Gardena City Council voted unanimously this week to audit the Normandie Casino, but defeated a motion that the review include the city’s two other card clubs.

Councilman Mas Fukai requested the audit of the Normandie Casino after reports that there were more than 40 gambling tables in the club, exceeding the limit of 40 tables per club set by the city.

“We want to see if the city is getting its fair share of the revenue,” Fukai said. If errors are found, penalties could include a fine or revocation of the club’s gambling license, he said.

A count of tables at the Normandie Casino indicated there were more than 40 tables on the floor, but all were not in use, said City Clerk May Doi. The council decided not to include the Horseshoe Club and the Eldorado Club in the audit because they did not exceed the 40-table limit, she said.

Gardena’s municipal code allows for an audit of the clubs at the city’s discretion, said City Manager Kenneth Landau. If bookkeeping inaccuracies greater than 2% are found for the period audited, the club must pay for the audit, he said. Otherwise, the city will bear the cost.

The audit will be done by the Peat Marwick Main & Co. accounting firm, which estimated the cost at between $2,800 and $3,100, said Richard Roxburgh, city finance director. A schedule for the audit has not been set.