Las Vegas company to buy Carson Station

A Las Vegas casino management company announced its intention on Friday to purchase the Carson Station in Carson City.

777 Gaming is poised to be the new owner of the south Carson City hotel and casino pending approval by Nevada gaming authorities. The Carson Station has been owned by Clark Russell since 1987.

According to its website, 777 Gaming specializes, "in operational strategies and restoration of financial stability and growth for gaming properties ranging from small, rural casinos to complex and sophisticated resort operations."

Carson Station General Manager Jennifer Russell, Clark Russell's daughter, said state gaming authorities could address the sale as early as April or May.

"Basically we never listed the station for sale but we had several interested buyers approach us over the last couple of years and 777 Gaming came to us around November last year," she said. "We had a really good feeling from their team and they fell in love with the Carson Station and that's how it started."

Rory Bedore, the CEO of 777 Gaming, said while it's too soon to detail what changes may come to the property, his company's intent is to "freshen the place up." He added the company is in talks with Best Western about keeping the hotel chain a part of the Carson Station.

"We're looking at all avenues, and at what makes sense for the property, but we're not looking at a massive layoff or let-go of employees," Bedore said. "That's certainly not our intent."

Bedore said his company has taken over six other Northern Nevada gaming properties in Hawthorne, Winnemucca and Elko.

The Carson Station had fallen on hard times in recent years, defaulting on a $2.6 million loan from U.S. Bank last spring. Russell said that loan has been repaid.

Meanwhile, the Station Grille across the street still is for sale after closing in late 2008 as a result of the recession.

Russell said they decided to announce the pending sale of the Carson Station more than a month before gaming authorities can address it to quash any rumors about the financial stability of the Carson Station.

"We felt there was so much uncertainty with our customers and our employees that we just wanted to make the announcement to let everyone know this is an exciting thing that is happening," Russell said.

The property employs

100 people and has 91 hotel rooms. It features slots, seasonal table games, a restaurant, sports book and cabaret bar.