Gaming control backs two Dayton corridor casino projects on Highway 50

Casino projects in Silver Springs, Dayton and Fallon won support from the Nevada Gaming Control Board on Wednesday.

The projects follow this fall's approval of major renovations for the Depot and Redhawk in Dayton, and the announcement that SlotWorld will open in the rapidly growing Highway 50 East corridor as well.

Greg Berry told the board he and his family plan to put up to 60 slot machines in the Silver Strike Casino in Silver Springs. He said the casino will cater to locals in what he described as one of the state's fastest growing, most dynamic areas.

"We like the location at the four corners," he said.

Board Chairman Dennis Neilander agreed the area is growing strongly.

That recommendation will go to the Nevada Gaming Commission for final action, along with the other recommendations approved by the control board Wednesday.

In addition, Berry said he plans to open a remodeled Oasis Springs Casino in Fallon, a property he and his family have owned for a decade.

"We went down there and posed as cowboy bartenders for about a year and totally failed," he said.

After that, he said, the place was closed. Now it's being remodeled. The board recommended him for licensing for up to 75 slot machines at the Oasis.

Finally, Stephen and Laurence Young along with Alan Vogl won a recommendation to build a new slots casino in Dayton.

Young said the 2,800-square-foot building will be erected on Retail Road across the street from Smith's grocery and will open with 20 machines.

Eventually, he said, it will operate 84 machines.

He said he hopes to open the new casino in six months.

The board voted to recommend approval of the license to the Gaming Commission.

Those projects, when approved, will join the remodeled and expanded Depot Casino and Redhawk Sports Bar. Those Dayton properties were approved for purchase by the The Sands Regency Casino/Hotel, of Reno, at the commission's August meeting. Sands officials plan to put up to $2 million worth of improvements into the Depot and Redhawk, spending up to $10 million.

In addition, SlotWorld, which operates a casino along Highway 50 East in Carson City, has plans to build a new operation in the Dayton corridor.

-- Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.