Thursday, March 18, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Barrick Gaming moves closer to owning Gaughan properties

Council unanimously approves transfer of gaming, liquor licenses

Ed McMahon, left, representing Barrick Gaming, shares a moment Wednesday with Mayor Oscar Goodman during the Las Vegas City Council hearing. Photo by Jeff Scheid.

With Mayor Oscar Goodman calling it a historic moment for the revitalization of downtown Las Vegas, the City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved the transfer of liquor and gaming licenses as part of Barrick Gaming's buyout of most of Jackie Gaughan's downtown Las Vegas real estate for $82 million.

Barrick Gaming owners David Barrick and Stephen Crystal have said that once they take ownership, they plan to spend hundreds of millions of dollars transforming the Plaza, the Las Vegas Club, the Gold Spike and the Western.

"I had my doubts with Barrick being real, quote-unquote," Goodman said. "But the energy we expended on revitalizing downtown is now well on its way to success and completion."

Entertainer Ed McMahon joined Barrick executives at the council meeting. Goodman and Councilman Lawrence Weekly left the dais to shake McMahon's hand.

McMahon, who will be Barrick's spokesman, said he had noticed singer Tony Bennett is scheduled to perform downtown. "When Tony Bennett's downtown, everybody's going to want to be downtown," he said.

Noting it was St. Patrick's Day, McMahon then told the mayor his name for the day would be Oscar O'Goodman.

The council approved the license transfer 5-0, with Councilman Michael Mack abstaining. The Nevada Gaming Commission must give final approval.