Coeur d'Alene Casino to lose liquor license for 10 days

Dancers with the show ‘Hunks’ created problem, Casino says

WORLEY — The Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel's liquor license will be suspended for 10 days beginning Nov. 1.

Coeur d’Alene Casino public relations and communications director Bob Bostwick released a media advisory Saturday “to dispel rumors and/or fabrications that have been posted on social media,” he said in the release.

“Dancers with the show ‘Hunks’ created the problem, not with nudity but apparently with dance moves the Idaho Liquor Control Board considers excessive,” Bostwick said. “The board has authority because we honor Idaho licensing. Alcohol is sold at our concert performances, and that's why we, not the performers, pay the price.”

The dance group violated its contract, Bostwick said, which stipulated that they would keep the show within the bounds under Idaho laws. The show took place last December.

“We are told that the show created the same problems at other performances in Idaho, with other licenses suspended. Still, it is the seller who is penalized,” he said. “We have long since agreed to regulations within the law, and we honor that agreement.”

According to the advisory, this is the first time the casino has had an issue regarding its liquor license since it began serving alcohol, beginning with beer and wine, about 20 years ago.

During the 10-day suspension, alcohol will not be sold in the casino venues, nor will it be allowed anywhere on the floor. Guests may bring their own alcoholic beverages if kept in their hotel rooms. The suspension does not affect sales at the liquor store in Worley or at the Conoco near the casino.

“We are always careful to ensure our guests are of legal age and our staff is trained to monitor consumption,” Bostwick said. “We will simply make the best of this temporary suspension.”