The state Gaming Control Board conducted its monthly meeting in Las Vegas today.
The issue: The board was asked to recommend approval of the sale of three Northern Nevada casinos operated by Affinity Gaming to Truckee Gaming, a new company headed by longtime Northern Nevada gaming executive Ferenc Szony.
Vote: 3-0
What it means: The vote recommends approval of licensing changes associated with the sale of the Sands Regency, Gold Ranch in Verdi and Terrible’s Dayton — to be rebranded as Gold Ranch — for $19.2 million.
Las Vegas-based Affinity, formerly known as Herbst Gaming, operates the Terrible’s casino franchise in Southern Nevada.
For Szony, it’s a homecoming to Northern Nevada, where he previously owned the three properties and sold them five years ago to Herbst Gaming. He told regulators Herbst fell into financial trouble when an indoor smoking ban in taverns serving food was approved. Herbst emerged from bankruptcy at the end of 2010 and changed its name to Affinity in 2011. The Gaming Commission will consider the licensing on Jan. 24, and the transaction is scheduled to close at the end of the month.
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The issue: Pahrump-based Sartini Synergy Online, a subsidiary of Golden Gaming, is seeking an interactive gaming license in Nevada. Regulators had some concerns about the eligibility of the company for licensing based on the number of hotel rooms in Nye County.
Vote: 3-0
What it means: The vote recommends approval of the licensing of Sartini Synergy Online to the Nevada Gaming Commission, which will consider final approval on Jan. 24. The company would be the 19th to receive an interactive license in Nevada if approved. The company currently has no employees and would be based in Pahrump and may begin operations with free play site.
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The issue: Rome-based Lottomatica Group, a multinational gaming company with holdings in Italy, Luxembourg, Cyprus, Sweden, Austria, Germany, Canada and the United States, is seeking an interactive gaming license in Nevada, primarily to manufacture equipment that would be used for online poker within the state.
Vote: 3-0
What it means: The vote recommends approval of the licensing of Lottomatica and its various subsidiaries to the Nevada Gaming Commission, which will consider final approval on Jan. 24. If approved, the company would be the 18th to receive an interactive license in Nevada.