Q&A Tuesday: New owners will add to the Piñon Plaza, manager says

Jeff Loflin's career in gaming began with a two-week training on dealing craps at Harrah's in Reno during a summer break from college. After 40 years in the business, he is director of operations for one of Carson City's largest casinos.

Loflin recently moved from the Carson Station casino to the Piñon Plaza. Both properties owned by Capital City Entertainment, but not for much longer.

Company President Clark Russell is selling the Plaza on Highway 50 East to Jacobs Entertainment Inc. The $14.5 million sale should close in April. Loflin was transferred to the Plaza to ensure a smooth transition for the new owners and a consistent management presence.

Loflin, 62, was raised in North Carolina and still has a Southern accent. He has been married to Nancy for almost as long as he's been in the business. They have a son and daughter and a 6-year-old grandchild.

How has your life changed since Clark Russell announced the sale of the Piñon Plaza to Jacobs Entertainment?

My job has changed. But as far as responsibility, it hasn't changed that much from the Carson Station. I was at the Carson Station for 15 years, starting as a swing shift manager and then for the last 10 years as general manager.

Do you think Jacobs will expand the Plaza?

I think they definitely could. In the works will be more slot machines. We have about 360 now. We're talking about adding a parking garage on site. All the aspects of gaming, entertainment and food will probably change somewhat. Table games will be moved to a new location and the room they are in now will house penny slots.

The bowling center will remain the same. Our locals really like the bowling center. All the new slot machines will be high tech. They are talking about expanding the casino floor, which would mean taking square footage from the parking lot. These things are all under discussion.

What have you told employees to quell their fears about the new owners?

We have been assured by Jacobs Gaming that our employee base will stay the same. I've been assuring Jacobs that they (employees) can do the job, and assuring my employees that as long as they can do the job, they will stay. I've talked to the director of gaming operations for Jacobs Entertainment Group and he assured me that benefits will stay the same or be better. Vacations will carry over. Those are our employees' main concerns.

What would you like to see happen at the Piñon Plaza in the next five years, 10 years?

The Piñon Plaza has a lot of room to grow and when the bypass opens on Thursday, cars will be emptying out right outside our door. I would like to see what is going to happen because of that.

In five years, we'll probably see a parking garage and an expanded gaming floor. Possibly more rooms and expanded eating facilities and restaurants.

In 10 years, I assume we will have a lot more rooms (the Plaza has 148 now).

Why did you get into the gaming industry?

I got into the gaming industry because I realized that I love dealing with people and that's what I do best. I had never been in a job where I'd had so much fun. I've been in the business since 1966, and every day I enjoy going to work.

I had a chance to go to New Jersey, but I evaluated it with my wife and our young son and we decided to stay in the area. I enjoy the small-town atmosphere of Carson City.

Do you think Carson City can support all these casinos, what with Fandango expanding, Max Baer Jr.'s proposed casino project and Bodine's casino in South Carson?

I definitely do. I think as more people move into the area, and with the bypass, we'll have the drive-through people coming through. People do not just play at one casino. They play at different casinos. And they are attracted to different features. We have the bowling center. Fandango and the Nugget have the buffet.

This past year we had 200-215 golf groups at the Piñon Plaza and the Carson Station and that adds to our local base. We also do a very good banquet business.