April 07, 2011--Once the economy gets back on track, the 16 acres across Paradise Road from the Las Vegas Convention Center could be developed into a 3,500-room resort hotel, the state Gaming Control Board was told Wednesday.

The information was brought up during a routine item involving the former site of The Beach, a small club that had been located on the corner of Paradise and Convention Center Drive.

Rob Woodson of United Coin Machine Co. appeared before the board to seek a nonrestricted gaming license for slot machines at the Beach site. United Coin frequently is contracted to offer gaming in temporary facilities in order to preserve the license at a site.

Woodson told regulators that his company would set up a tent and operate 15 slot machines for eight hours on April 27 to preserve the right to offer gaming at that address.

He added that an executive with Marriott International, his client, emailed him that the company eventually plans to build a 3,500-room resort at the site.

Woodson said the email indicated that Marriott doesn't foresee anything happening at the site for at least 18 months, but it was the first indication of plans to expand at the prime location across the street from the convention center, which hosts dozens of major trade shows, conventions and meetings.

A Marriott representative said she did not have details from the company's development team and declined comment.

The Control Board unanimously recommended approval of the licensing, which will be considered by the Nevada Gaming Commission on April 21.

In other business, the Control Board recommended approval of licensing for a new owner of a small casino located in a Las Vegas truck stop and horse-racing dates for three rural counties.

The board recommended approval of a license for Reno-based Northpointe Sierra Inc., formerly known as Cashell Enterprises, for a small casino at the Las Vegas Auto/Truck Plaza on Dean Martin Drive, just north of Blue Diamond Road.

The company, operated by the son of Reno Mayor Bob Cashell, plans to rebrand the property as the Alamo Casino at the Las Vegas Travel Center. The company operates four truck-stop casinos in Nevada, including the Petro Shopping Center in North Las Vegas at Interstate 15 and Hollywood Boulevard.

Cashell plans to offer 100 slot machines, two blackjack tables and a Texas Hold'em game at the property.

The board also recommended approval on horse racing in Winnemucca June 4-5, Ely Aug. 19-21 and Elko Aug. 23-31 and Sept. 1-5.

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