L-Calko/1stLK/5 inches

PRODUCTION; please make this lede letter

Flynt Craps Out

As a long-time follower of the gaming industry, I am completely befuddled as to what Larry Flynt’s game is (“Flynt Seeking Card Club Action,” March 9).

Flynt states that he will spend $30 million in the next eight months to renovate his recently acquired gambling establishment, the El Dorado Club. Yet Flynt states that he has no license and acknowledges that the granting of a gaming license is completely within the discretion of the licensing authorities. Given that our Attorney General, Dan Lungren, has the authority to grant such licenses, it is in the cards that the El Dorado Club will never see the light of day under Flynt’s ownership.

Flynt regales us with his gambling prowess, but this business venture entails no elements of risk. It is guaranteed to fail. I would be very interested in hearing Flynt’s justification for plowing $30 million into an “investment” where the outcome is a given.

Perhaps Flynt should stick to what he knows best and leave gaming to those faceless “Joe Blows” whom he derides, yet have managed to make gaming one of the fastest growing industries in the country.

STEVEN CALKO

Los Angeles