The state Gaming Commission found that 26 Jake’s 58 employees...

The state Gaming Commission found that 26 Jake’s 58 employees were not in compliance with state licensing standards. Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas

As long as Suffolk Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. owns and manages Jake's 58 casino in Islandia, the authority must follow the state's rules and regulations.

Clearly, when it comes to the importance of employee licensing standards, that has not been the case.

The state Gaming Commission found that 26 Jake's 58 employees were not in compliance with state licensing standards, leading the Commission to issue a $26,000 fine. OTB chief executive Phil Boyle says the authority is now rectifying the situation — but the quasi-governmental agency should never have been in this position in the first place. Only now is OTB trying to hire a compliance officer; that should have been done long ago. 

Anyone who works in a casino setting requires a license, though there are different levels of licensing depending on the position and job description. For the most part, licensing is straightforward, based on a background check. Employees must meet certain standards. Those convicted of certain felonies and misdemeanors, especially ones related to finance or gaming, could be denied a license.

There's no indication that any of the Jake's workers would have been denied a license if they had applied and there's no evidence of nefarious intent. Instead, it seems OTB dropped the ball on what is a fairly simple task. Boyle tried to put some of the onus on Jake's former owner, Delaware North. But OTB has owned the facility since 2021. Even if there were issues under the prior owner, it was up to OTB to rectify them. It's had three years to get this right. The Gaming Commission first brought the issues to OTB's attention in December, but they remained unresolved after four months, leading to the fine.

Boyle told the Newsday editorial board that some of the licensing rules are "confusing" and that the authority didn't realize some employees — such as those who do only occasional work at the casino — needed licenses. But somehow, other casino companies across the state haven't suffered the same confusion. Long a home to political patronage, OTB must show it can handle the management of Jake's, which will only grow more complex with its ongoing expansion.

The Gaming Commission should do what it can to run a more open licensing process. Licensing information must be public and readily available via the Freedom of Information Law. The Commission should determine whether it can provide quantitative data online to show whether a facility's licenses are up to date without compromising the personal data or safety of employees. 

As the Gaming Commission prepares to award three new downstate casino licenses, it becomes even more important to make sure everyone — whether an OTB or a private casino giant — follows the rules.

MEMBERS OF THE EDITORIAL BOARD are experienced journalists who offer reasoned opinions, based on facts, to encourage informed debate about the issues facing our community.

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