Gaming license urged for Lake Las Vegas casino

Thursday, Dec. 9, 1999 | 11:51 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- A 500-room hotel at Lake Las Vegas in Henderson received preliminary approval from the state Gaming Control Board Wednesday to operate a small casino.

Unlike other 24-hour operations of most major resorts in Southern Nevada, the Hyatt Regency Lake Las Vegas will close gaming on its 191 slots and 11 table games from 2 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Gaming Control Board Chairman Steve DuCharme called it a "boutique-sized hotel." The casino will be operated by the Pritzker family of Chicago, which also runs gambling at North Lake Tahoe, Indiana, Illinois and Toronto.

The casino manager will be Steve Sterrett, who is returning to Nevada gambling after a stint in Indiana.

A spokesman for the hotel-casino said it will cater to small conventions and trade groups when it opens this month. Two golf courses are nearby. The hotel is on the lakeside.

Licensed were Thomas Pritzker as president; Nicholas Pritzker as director and Harold Handelsman as vice president-secretary-treasurer. The Pritzker family joined with other investors to develop the complex and it has the lease to run the gambling.

The state Gaming Commission will meet Dec. 16 in Carson City to give final approval for the casino license.