Santa Fe Gaming, PDS get new names

Monday, May 14, 2001 | 10:41 a.m.

Two Las Vegas gaming companies have announced name changes following their annual shareholders meetings.

Santa Fe Gaming Corp. is now known as Archon Corp., following shareholder approval Friday. Its over-the-counter ticker symbol changed from "SGMG" to "ARHN."

The company did not indicate the meaning of its new name in its press release or in a proxy statement sent to shareholders.

Chief Financial Officer Thomas Land declined to comment on the name change, deferring to company Chairman Paul Lowden, who could not be reached for comment.

"Archon" is defined in the dictionary as a chief magistrate of ancient Athens, or a ruler or chief officer.

The company sold off the Santa Fe hotel-casino to Station Casinos Inc. last October for $205 million. Archon still owns the Pioneer hotel-casino in Laughlin as well as a land parcel on the north end of the Strip that could be used for future development.

PDS Financial Corp., meanwhile, became PDS Gaming Corp. Its Nasdaq ticker changes from "PDSF" to "PDSG" Tuesday.

PDS said the new name reflects its more diversified business line. In addition to providing financing to casinos for gaming equipment, the company also sells refurbished slot machines, sells a line of digital table games, operates a casino in Reno and is buying the PT's chain of video poker bars in Las Vegas.