INGLEWOOD : State Deals Setback to Plan for Hollywood Park Casino

Efforts to open a card club at Hollywood Park racetrack were dealt a setback when the state attorney general’s office turned down the application of the club’s prospective owner.

A Hollywood Park official said plans will continue for the Hollywood Park Casino card club to open this year in a building near the grandstands.

The park had planned to lease casino operations to California Casino Management and its president, Edward Allred. In California, an individual who wants to run a card club must get a gaming license from the state Department of Justice.

The attorney general cited Allred’s prior ownership of stock in companies outside California that engage in gaming that is not permitted in this state, according to a statement from Hollywood Park. Allred plans to appeal the decision, park officials said.

G. Michael Finnigan, Hollywood Park executive vice president and chief financial officer, said the park will interview other possible casino operators but hopes to delay a decision pending the outcome of the appeal. Hollywood Park had planned to operate the card club itself until Gov. Pete Wilson vetoed a bill that would have allowed the park to apply for a card club license. Under California law, only individuals may hold such licenses.