Quick Facts
| Intro | American businessman |
| Is | Businessperson |
| From | United States of America |
| Field | Business |
| Gender | male |
Biography
Richard Craig Estey is the founder of Dotty's, a chain of taverns with slot machines with about 175 locations in Nevada, Oregon, and Montana, and another 150 locations planned in Illinois. The business model is controversial, with sites "offering minimal food and beverage choices with a heavy focus on gambling." The chain caters to women aged 35 and older, with a clean, well-lit atmosphere meant to invoke "your grandmother's kitchen".
In 2006, Estey came under investigation by the Lottery for alleged incidents of domestic violence against his wife, and for lying to Nevada gaming regulators about the incidents. Faced with the threat of losing Dotty's lottery retailer contract, Estey was forced to sell Dotty's locations in Oregon to a group of investors from South Dakota, including Dan Fischer and Marwin Hofer, at a sales price reportedly higher than $15 million.
Estey has donated money to RightChange.com, a group dedicated to electing conservative Republicans. Estey was also a major donor to Super PACs supporting Mitt Romney in 2012.
