Fiesta Casino Sold to Station

Locals giant Station Casinos announced plans to purchase the Fiesta Casino Hotel in North Las Vegas from the Maloof family for $185 million. The purchase, planned to close in January of next year, comes on the heels of an announcement that Station Casinos would buy the Santa Fe for $205 million. With the acquisition of the Fiesta, the company will own all three major casinos on Rancho Drive.

Though Station management is planning major revisions to the Santa Fe (including changing the name to Santa Fe Station), company officials say that there are no plans to convert the popular Fiesta to a Station-branded property.

"We currently have six gaming-entitled sites (for future casinos) in Las Vegas. Rather than developing Station at all these sites, we can develop Fiestas, " said Glenn Christenson, chief financial officer of Station Casinos. Christenson also stated that there were no plans to change the loose-slot formula that has been key to the Fiesta’s marketing strategy.

Simultaneously, Station announced plans to sell its two Missouri properties, Station Casino Kansas City and Station Casino St. Joseph (south of St. Louis), to a group led by John Finamore and William Warner (both Station executives) for $475 million.

According to Fiesta leader George Maloof, proceeds from the Fiesta sales will be used to build a new tourist-oriented casino on Flamingo Road, across from the Rio and Gold Coast. "Once complete" says Maloof, "the $255 million resort will be starkly different from the Fiesta. The family envisions a 2,000-room resort on a 30-acre site with a 40-story tower."

Both Station Casinos and the Greenspun Corp. (owners of The Las Vegas Sun) have agreed to purchase a 6 percent stake in the hotel-casino.

MGM opens new High Roller Slot Salon

The new 4,000 sq. ft., bilevel, multiroomed MGM high-limit slot salon, located in the casino’s former baccarat pit, offers $5- and- up players the last word in high-level luxury. Included is a marbled host station staffed 24 hours a day, a privately located full-service cashier, and a spacious lounge resembling a fine European club. There’s also a separate refreshment area serving an impressive selection of hot and cold snacks, as well as a designated service bar.

Among the machine inventory, players will find decent video poker ($5 8/5 Bonus, Triple Play 9/6 Jacks) as well as several $5 through $500 reels, including many two-coin single-line "traditional" games favored by most high-limit slot players.

According to several players, though, the salon’s best asset is the staff, including butlers, cashiers, cocktail waitresses, floor people, hosts, and supervisors, most of whom have been at the MGM from Day 1 (November 1993).

"I played in every high-limit area across America" said one player, "and the employees here are the best for learning your name and finding out how to take care of you."

The Directors Club rewards cashback (.625% for slots; .39% for video poker) plus several other important benefits. Members receive one American Airlines AAdvantage mile for every two points redeemed, plus earn merchandise credit to spend the week after Thanksgiving. They also earn free stays in one of the MGM’s 5,000 rooms, and free meals at over a dozen restaurants.

Suncoast Opens in Northwest Las Vegas

Suncoast, the newest property of Coast Resorts, will open in northwest Las Vegas on September 1. The Mediterranean-themed resort will feature a 78,000 sq. ft. casino (2,000 machines, 48 tables), a bingo hall, a sunken 450-seat showroom, 16 stadium-style movie theaters, and a 64-lane bowling center. There are 392 rooms (all over 550 sq. ft) and 40 suites. Five restaurants include the San Tropez International Buffet and the second-floor Primo’s–A Place for Steaks, complete with a stunning view of the Strip.

Located just south of the Regent Las Vegas and surrounded by three golf courses, the Suncoast is the fourth Coast Resorts property. The company also operates the on-the-Strip Barbary Coast, as well as the near-Strip Gold Coast and Orleans. As with the latter two properties, Coast Resort management expects the Suncoast to have a strong market following from both Las Vegas tourists and local residents.

Club Denaro, the casino’s slot club, will reward players with cash or comps. Similar to the clubs found at other Coast Resort properties, members earn one point for every dollar won (a.k.a. coin-out) and can redeem them for cash at a rate of 4,000 points for $10 cash or $12 in comp. According to Suncoast Executive Mike Olewiler, Coast Casinos will introduce a multi-property slot card sometime in 2001.

New Slot Game Offers the Reel Deal

I f you’ve ever said "I’d love to have that game at home," then Phantom EFX, Inc. has the product for you.

"Reel Deal Slots & Video Poker" is a computer game designed to bring all the action of the latest machines right to your PC. The remarkable program incorporates all the sights, sounds and excitement of a modern casino slot floor. Fifty different games offer 300 variations of slots and video poker.

Bright, crisp graphics work to reproduce games based on today’s most popular slots. You’ll recognize traditional and multiline video games that bear a striking resemblance to such hits as "Reel ’Em In," "Wheel of Fortune," and "Red, White & Blue," as well as a number of video poker hits. Each screen is designed from the player’s perspective, as though you’re standing right in front of the machine. And all the appropriate sounds–accompany every game.

And here’s the real fun: You can even sign up for a virtual slot club and redeem points for a variety of make-believe gifts.

Reel Deal Slots & Video Poker is available from Casino

Player’s Dealer’s Choice catalogue (item # 16160 ) and is priced at $29.95. For more information, or to place your order, call 800-969-0711.

The Gaming Line