By Cy Ryan, Las Vegas
SunMcClatchy-Tribune Regional News
April 20, 2012--A man with wide experience in taking over
distressed casinos has received final state approval to operate the
gaming operations at the Westin Casuarina, which is in receivership in
Las Vegas.
The state Gaming Commission Thursday granted a license to Rory
Lee Bedore to run the casino, formerly known as the Maxim Hotel, just
off the Strip.
Commissioner Tony Alamo told Bedore, "You're behind the
8-ball. This is a very difficult property," noting the problems
encountered by the Maxim.
"The area around it is deteriorating," Alamo said.
Bedore agreed, saying, "This is a tough project" and it is
only two blocks away from the "prestigious" Strip. He said there's some
cost-cutting possible but believes he can turn it around.
It should be a seamless transition, with most of the same
staff being kept on. There are a few at retirement age who will be
leaving, Bedore said.
He has a four-year lease and will take over May 1. He has
business arrangements with other companies that operate the hotel, bar
and restaurant. Asked by the commission what "Casuarina" is, he said
it's a tropical plant.
The casino has 268 slot and video games and eight table games.
Bedore took over six properties in receiverships in rural
counties in Northern Nevada and was able to turn them around.
He purchased the bankrupt Carson Station in Carson City last
July and has made a number of improvements. "We're ahead of
projections," said Bedore.
The commission backed the application of former Gaming Control
Board Chairman Dennis Neilander to be allowed to practice before gaming
regulators. Neilander said he is consulting on gaming issues in such
places as Singapore and expects to appear before the commission or the
control board from time to time.
The commission also passed the application of GW AGS Holding,
its associated Las Vegas companies and owner Graham Weaver for a
license as a manufacturer, distributor and operator of a slot machine
route.
Also licensed were company executives Robert Miodunski and
Olaf Vancura. The operation also has licenses in a number of other
states for gaming and has 5,000 slot machines.
Others approved included:
--Ainsworth Game Technology for a continuous or delayed public
offering. The company is licensed as a manufacturer and distributor and
its top officer Daniel Gladstone said the shelf offering would get
Ainsworth out of debt and end up with $22 million in the bank.
--Dotty's for three more slot machine arcades, raising its
number to 78. The new ones in Las Vegas are at 3377 Rancho Drive and
1511 N. Nellis Blvd. The other is at South Lake Tahoe.
--Alexandra Robertson Epstein and Katie McNeely Robertson
Epstein to both receive 8.3 percent in the El Cortez in downtown Las
Vegas from the Irving Epstein Living Trust.
--Thomas Soukup as vice president of research and development
at Konami Gaming in Las Vegas. The company told the control board it
was licensed in 21 states and has 7,600 slot machines. It hopes to have
20-30 percent of the units located in Nevada casinos.
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