Gambling Initiative Drive Begins

Backers of a referendum to create a legalized gambling club in West Hollywood have begun collecting signatures for a petition that would require the City Council to put a gambling initiative on the November ballot.

The council last December unanimously rejected a request for a referendum that would have allowed gambling on all legal card games at Cavendish West Hollywood, a private bridge and rummy club at 9255 W. Sunset Boulevard.

To qualify for the November ballot, the group needs the support of 15% of the city’s 20,000 registered voters--roughly 3,000 signatures--on a petition by June 12.

“I’m confident we will be able to get the signatures we need to qualify the measure,” said Bruce Decker, a spokesman for the West Hollywood Club Initiative Committee. “We have contracted with a professional signature-gathering firm and we plan to do a signature-gathering blitz over the weekend and through (Tuesday’s) election.”

Proponents claim that the club could generate from $5 million to $10 million annually for the city, roughly 10% of the club’s estimated gross revenues.

To make the issue more appealing to the voters, Decker said, the initiative requires the city to earmark three-fourths of its revenues for the elderly, increased law enforcement, gay and lesbian services, and the revitalization of the city’s east end, where the club is to be located. The city would be allowed to use the remaining one-fourth at its own discretion.