Karina Kovac

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Nov 9, 2026, 5:23 PM

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Updated

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A former cage cashier at Jake’s 58 Hotel & Casino is suing the casino and Suffolk Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation, alleging that supervisors unlawfully took money from a mandatory employee tip pool.

According to the lawsuit, Kevin Guttinger worked at the Islandia casino for over two years, earning $18 per hour plus tips and tip-pool payments.

The lawsuit says the tip pool often exceeded $50,000 per week and involved more than 50 employees.

In 2022, Guttinger says supervisors were added to the tip pool by casino management instead of increasing supervisor compensation, taking money directly owed to him.

Guttinger claims he raised concerns with managers and supervisors, arguing that management employees were not supposed to take a share of workers' tips. Saying that since they did, workers did not receive the full amount of tips they were owed, reducing their overall earnings.

He further alleges that after making those complaints, he was terminated around November 2024 in retaliation.

The lawsuit claims the casino and Suffolk OTB violated the Fair Labor Standards Act by unlawfully taking employee tips and retaliating against him through his termination.

Guttinger is seeking lost wages, employee benefits and an unspecified amount in damages.

News 12 reached out to counsel for Jake's 58 and has not heard back.