Hilton recommended as a new director for Park Place

Thursday, Feb. 8, 2001 | 10:52 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- William Barron Hilton, who has been associated with Nevada gaming since the 1970s, has been recommended by the state Gaming Control Board to be a director and shareholder in Las Vegas-based Park Place Entertainment Corp., the largest casino operator in the world.

Hilton had a license under Park Place's old corporate structure, but had not been licensed with Park Place, which runs major resorts on and near the Las Vegas Strip including Caesars Palace, the Flamingo, Bally's, Paris and the Las Vegas Hilton.

Board Chairman Dennis Neilander told Hilton "A person of your stature has brought many good things to Nevada since you were first licensed in 1970." Hilton's attorney Frank Schreck said he was one of two legends in Nevada gambling that were present at the board meeting Wednesday. The other is Jackie Gaughan, owner of a couple of downtown Las Vegas clubs.

The board recommended approval for the Gaughan corporations to merge with ones of Mel Exber. They have held common interest in four downtown casinos.

Gaughan was asked by Neilander how business is. He said it is good but "Downtown is a little weak. It's got to get a little better.

The board also recommended approval for Capado Gaming Corp., run by Doyle Davis, to install 16 slot machines in the Nevada Hotel & Casino in downtown Las Vegas.

Ann Meyers, the owner of the Nevada Hotel & Casino, tried in the past to be licensed to operate gaming but was denied her application.

The club has been grandfathered in under a law that requires all new unrestricted gaming operations to have 300 hotel rooms. Meyers had to get at least 16 slots operating in the hotel or she would lose her grandfather privilege in the next month.

The Nevada Hotel does not have 300 rooms.

The board also recommended approval for William R. Stephens as senior vice president and general manager at Harvey's Resort Hotel-Casino in Stateline, Lake Tahoe. Stephens formerly was general manager at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas when Harvey's managed the casino.