Revamped Klondike Sunset Casino gains licensing OK
CARSON CITY — A rejuvenated Klondike Sunset Casino in Henderson was licensed Thursday by the Nevada Gaming Commission and plans to open for business Wednesday.
There will be a 6 p.m. opening for VIPs and the casino will open to the general public at 9 p.m.
Owner Bruce Familian said the casino will offer slots only and employ about 70 people.
“We are just really excited,” Familian said. “It’s been a long eight months and thousands and thousands of hours of work.”
“It’s very impressive what you have done there,” said Commission Chairman Tony Alamo. “We all know the property. You have really rejuvenated, almost made it new.”
The casino closed in 2014 after its owner, John Woodrum, died.
Alamo said the revenue projections for the casino are conservative and look viable.
“It’s a win-win for you personally and of course the community benefits,” he said.
Familian said he and partner Jon Athey have been in the gaming business for 16 years, starting with gas stations. They purchased the property in December 2015 and have been working nonstop to get it reopened.
The casino sits on 2.2 acres at 444 W. Sunset Road west of Boulder Highway.
Familian, owner of slot machine route operator Nevada Gaming Partners, faced questions in 2014 about his wife’s involvement in a licensed medical marijuana dispensary.
Familian told the Gaming Commission at the time that his wife, Sarah Familian, had sold her 8 percent stake in GB Sciences Nevada LLC. The business was awarded one of 18 medical marijuana dispensary licenses by the Clark County Commission.
The sale eliminated any conflict with a regulatory request that gaming license holders stay away from the medical marijuana business.
Contact Sean Whaley at swhaley@reviewjournal.com or 775-461-3820. Find @seanw801 on Twitter.
