Casino MonteLago at Lake Las Vegas sets May 26 reopening

Casino MonteLago, the only gaming site at Lake Las Vegas, has been run by three operators since it opened in 2003. It came close to ceasing operations in 2007 before it was finally shuttered a year ago.

The newest operators of the 40,000-square-foot casino at master planned community's Montelago Village made a bold declaration to state gaming regulators Wednesday.

The Gaming Control Board gave tentative approval to Intrepid Gaming, which will reopen the casino on May 26, pending approval of the Nevada Gaming Commission.

Casino MonteLago General Manager Marcus Suan told the control board, "We will not fail."

Intrepid Gaming President Jon Berkley said the Casino MonteLago will be a "lean operation without a lot of overhead."

The property is expected to open with 275 slot machines and electronic table games. The casino will not have a live table game pit. The property will have less than 100 employees.

Berkley said the demographics of Lake Las Vegas have changed dramatically in recent months, with the opening of the 340-room Ravella in February. There are also more full-time residents at Lake Las Vegas than in the past.

"The casino is located in the social hub of Lake Las Vegas," Berkley said. "It's important for it to succeed."

He said the casino will be marketed to 22,000 homes adjacent to the Lake Las Vegas community and the 100,000 homes in the nearby Henderson market.

Berkley told the control board Casino MonteLago's financial structure was focused on positive cash flow.

Gaming Control Board Chairman Mark Lipparelli, in approving the reopening, said it was "good to see another property that is dark come back to life."

Contact reporter Howard Stutz at hstutz@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3871. Follow him on Twitter @howardstutz