Ernie’s locals’ casino transforms into Wildfire

David Strow

Friday, Dec. 28, 2001 | 10:44 a.m.

The $11 million Wildfire Casino -- officially the last new casino to open in the Las Vegas Valley in 2001 -- opened to the public Thursday night.

The 20,000-square-foot building is a reincarnation of Ernie's, a neighborhood bar and casino that first opened in North Las Vegas in 1962. With Wildfire's opening, Ernie's life is nearly at an end -- it will operate for a few more days. The old building will be demolished by the end of January to make way for more parking.

"The building was so old, it was basically falling down around our ears," said John Bauchman, who co-owns the Wildfire with brother James. "It cost more to maintain it than replace it."

The Wildfire, described by General Manager George Thompson as a "kind of like an old Chicago warehouse converted into a fun place," is considerably larger than its predecessor. Wildfire has 220 slots to Ernie's 86, and offers things Ernie's didn't, such as five table games and a sports book.

"Ernie's was known as a bar with a casino," Thompson said. "Now we're a casino that happens to have a bar."

It also has no hotel rooms, which are a requirement for any casino with more than 15 slots that's built today. Since the Wildfire is simply assuming Ernie's gaming license, it is exempt from this requirement.

Ernie's could have had more slots, but the building couldn't handle it. A smaller casino might have made more sense years ago, but it doesn't these days, Bauchman said.

"When Ernie's was built, it was the only thing on this side of town," Bauchman said. "Technology and population grew beyond what Ernie's could offer."

Growth has also brought two powerful neighbors. One-half mile north on Rancho Drive lie Texas Station and Fiesta, both owned by Station Casinos Inc.

But then, the Wildfire isn't being built to butt heads with either.

"We're certainly not going to compete with Texas Station or the Fiesta," Thompson said. "We'll carve our own little niche. It's someplace you can get in easily and quickly. It's small enough that we can recognize all of our customers and recognize them by their face, rather than just a number on a card."

Bauchman said the concept of the smaller casino has been proven in Henderson, where at least 10 such casinos have competed successfully near Sam's Town, Boulder Station and Sunset Station.

"We're looking to fill a niche between the Mom and Pop (slot bar) and the big local megacasinos like Station and Coast (Resorts)."