#dotty's

Dotty’s is a chain of “delis” that actually exist for a single primary reason: to host lottery, video poker and similar machines. Since out-and-out gambling dens are illegal in Oregon, the good people at Dotty’s figured out that if they included the most spartan of sandwich-preparing options at their establishments, under current law they were basically free to operate a sandwich-enhanced gambling den. It turns out they have about 175 locations in Nevada, Oregon, and Montana, and another 150 locations planned in Illinois. At least Wikipedia accurately describes the company as “a chain of slot machine parlors.”

The web site 4Flush does its take on the fight over Dotty's and other Clark County slot parlors - and the effort by Station casinos and others to wipe them out with retroactive ordinance changes.

Howard Stutz scores a long interview with Craig Estey, the founder and CEO of Dotty's - the tavern/slot parlor/thorn in the side of big casinos. Estey talks about the female focus of Dotty's, and his back and forth with his biggest foes - Station Casinos.

It's a big deal for locals: the small taverns say they're in danger of being hurt by possible changes in regulations aimed at rolling back slot parlors like Dotty's -- the chain that's become too popular for some operators of big casinos. But for now, the Clark County Commission isn't doing a thing.

Clark County Commissioner Tom Collins is not happy that the slot parlor industry has mushroomed, and he wants to dial it back by reducing the number of machines a bar may have. Conor Shine notes that the joints like PT's and Dotty's offer locals who want to avoid the big casinos a clean, low-key place to go.

Now I know why hipsters come here. I usually leave my iPod in but I noticed during a break in songs that they were playing "Where Is My Mind" by The Pixies so I turned it off to listen. Unfortunately I missed most of the song but right after that their radio played "Daylight" by Matt & Kim. That coupled with this delicious gingerbread latte'... It's clear that I've found my new favorite place.