Central Los Angeles : Bell Jackpot Casino Closes After 7 Months
Only seven months after it opened, the owners of the Bell Jackpot Casino have decided to fold their cards.
The 45-table business’s bid to become part of the $7.5-billion California card club industry failed two weeks ago when it quietly closed its doors.
Although city officials were eager to take in the estimated $8,000 a month in tax revenue from the club, they hedged their bets.
“We did not budget one nickel in [anticipated revenue from] gaming operations,” said Robert Rizzo, Bell’s chief administrative officer.
The casino’s owners had big plans. They applied for city permits to allow live entertainment, a cartoonist, a shoeshine stand, a 17-machine video arcade and roving neck massagers. Bell Mayor George Cole said the casino attracted people, but its management could not keep their business. The casino’s owner declined comment.
“It never really got off the ground,” Cole said.
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