Cadillac Island Casino, at 1125 Commerce Ave, Longview, WA Not Exactly Las Vegas.
The city of Longview is poised to ask the Washington Gambling Commission to revoke the Cadillac Island Casino’s gambling license for failure to pay taxes.
The casino, located at 1125 Commerce Ave., has had a written agreement with the city since June 2012 to pay $383,000 in unpaid gambling taxes within five years at a rate of about $7,000 a month. Under the agreement, if the casino doesn’t pay the agreed amount within the first week of each month, the city would seek to have its gambling license suspended or revoked.
According to city Finance Director Kurt Sacha, the casino was $23,000 in arrears on the payment schedule as of Monday. That total consists of delinquent payments due for half of October, plus November and December, and it includes current gambling taxes due for September and October.
The casino still owes roughly $280,000 in back gaming taxes.
The casino, which employs 99 people, is owned by Regina Bakunowicz, and, until recently, her husband. The couple is in the midst of a divorce, according to an email company representatives sent The Daily News on Tuesday.
“Regina Bakunowicz now has complete control and operation of the company and is reconciling past debt,” the email states. “The Cadillac Island Casino has hired a team of accountants that are working diligently to reconcile past management mistakes and bring us to current terms.”
The casino is taking a different direction with its marketing, promotions and menu to increase its revenues, according to the email.
Tuesday, Jim Bakunowicz said court orders filed since August have barred him from having access to anything regarding the business, of which he remains president.
“I am diligently working on a remedy to this problem,” he said.
The city sent the Bakunowiczes a letter Dec. 4 informing them that the casino was in default on its agreement to pay taxes. If the casino failed to make immediate payment and return the account to good standing by Thursday, Dec. 12, the letter stated the city would request immediate state action to revoke its license.
Tuesday, City Manager Bob Gregory said he would consult with the City Council on Thursday night to confirm that it indeed wants to proceed with contacting the Gambling Commission.
The Casino has been struggling for years. In January 2012 the City Council agreed to a one-year gambling tax reduction after the Bakunowiczes pleaded for a way to keep the place alive.
The casino offers six card games, a restaurant, two full bars and a nightclub.
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