Silver City Casino sold

Tuesday, Oct. 19, 1999 | 11:57 a.m.

Luke Brugnara, owner of San Francisco-based Brugnara Corp., has purchased the Silver City Casino on the Las Vegas Strip from United Casino Holdings LLC. Terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed.

Currently run by Mandalay Resort Group, Silver City is slated to be closed at the end of the month. A spokesman for Brugnara said it would be impossible to avoid the scheduled closing, but that future plans include reopening a "fully remodelled" casino better reflecting the property's value.

Brugnara has applied for a gaming license, but is also examining the option of using a slot operator to handle gaming activity at the 20,000-square-foot casino. About 150 people currently work at the property.

Located at the intersection of the Las Vegas Strip and Convention Drive, the Silver City property is comprised of two separate buildings. Plans call for demolition of the property's Las Vegas Shopping Plaza; two new upscale restaurants will be added to the site.

Mandalay Resort Group, formerly known as Circus Circus Enterprises Inc., leased the space 20 years ago and opened the Silver City Casino in 1981.