Backer of Card Casino Unveils Plan for Council : Gambling: Co-owner of Los Alamitos Race Course in Cypress seeks 24-hour card parlor.

In the first step of what promises to be a drawn-out effort, the co-owner of the Los Alamitos Race Course on Monday marched before the City Council and unveiled plans to bring a card casino to the horse racing facility.

Lloyd Arnold, who along with Sacramento businessman Chris Bardis bought the track in 1989 from financially troubled Hollywood Park, wants to put a 24-hour gambling parlor on 15 acres next to the track.

The club would front on Katella Avenue and include betting on a variety of card games. Arnold said the club would bring millions of dollars in revenue to the city and put hundreds of people to work.

Saying the casino would be another arm of the race track, Arnold vowed to run a “good card club.”

“We think we have been good neighbors,” Arnold said. “I would not be here tonight to recommend this if I felt it would hurt the community.”

Arnold said he also would include a major restaurant and coffee house as part of the complex. In addition, he would pay for his own security and work with local police to ensure the safety of nearby residents as well as patrons.

Arnold said he would have the issue ready for the November, 1992, ballot.

Under state law, the proposal must go before Cypress voters for approval before gambling can begin. City Atty. Jerry Patterson said city code currently prohibits gambling, so in addition to the ballot measure it would also require changing city law.

If approved, the Los Alamitos Race Course casino would be the only legalized card club in the county.

Councilwoman Cecilia L. Age was the only council member to comment on the proposal.

“I am just against the card club for reasons I won’t get into now,” Age said.

Two residents pleaded with the council to turn down the project.

“I am concerned about the integrity of life in Cypress,” said Bill Matthews, one of the residents. “I believe Cypress is a safe place to live. We don’t need this type of situation around our kids, residences and schools.”

Arnold has solicited the support of Jack Swank, a former leader of the citizens group that helped defeat two development plans for the race course property, to help sell it to the council.

Two of the Southland’s largest card clubs are in Bell Gardens and the City of Commerce.