Senator waves hello to new owner

The new owner of Cactus Jack's Senator Club said Wednesday that few changes will be made to the iconic downtown casino or its staff in the latest acquisition in the Carson City gaming market.

The purchase of the nearly 40-year-old casino is contingent on Nevada Gaming Control approval, said Scott Tate, managing member of Northern Nevada Comstock Investments and owner of several Northern Nevada casino properties. He opened the Comstock Casino in northeast Carson City in 2004.

"We've participated in the marketplace for two years now, and we really like the community. We think it has a lot of value long term," said Tate from his office in Fallon. "We think the demographics of that market are strong and conducive to our business."

The 9,400-square-foot, two-story casino is known for its reader boards off Carson Street that often give birthday greetings to local players, and for the neon Senator on the building's façade. Tate declined to disclose the purchase price.

Cactus Jack's is located in a key area of downtown, beside the Carson Horseshoe Club and across the street from the Carson Nugget, said Joe McCarthy, city economic development and redevelopment manager.

"Cactus Jack's is an iconic, older casino that our community really enjoys," he said. "It represents how Nevada's gambling history is reflected in the exterior and interior. The casino presence of Cactus Jack's, the Horseshoe and the Nugget are crucial to our long-term success downtown."

Other casino operators have worked with the Cactus Jack's owners to improve the downtown economic vitality.

"We wish them the best of luck," said Kelly Brant, director of promotions for the Carson Nugget. "We hope to have the same cooperation with the new owners that we have enjoyed with the previous owners."

The 420 N. Carson St. casino has been owned by Peter V. Investment Co. President William Schneider, of Minden, could not be reached for comment by press time. Elizabeth Dechene, of Danville, Calif., is also listed as an owner, according to incorporation documents.

The property was originally built in 1939, according to city assessor records. The first reference to a casino operating at the address appears in 1968 with Mike's Senator Club, according to State Archivist Guy Rocha. Later directories list the Senator Casino in 1970 and then Cactus Jack's in 1972.

"Scott Tate and his organization owns the Comstock Casino and the Fallon Nugget, and for him to buy the Cactus Jack's makes a lot of sense," said Mayor Marv Teixeira.

Tate said his corporation has experience in managing small downtown properties, such as the Fallon Nugget, which is located in the city's historic downtown district.

The 2,000-square-foot expansion to the Comstock Casino, 3680 Goni Road, will be completed in November.

The purchase agreement was signed on Monday and the 70 employees were informed on Tuesday, Tate said.

"We envision no significant changes to personnel," he said.

No expansion is planned for the new acquisition, but exterior and interior renovations will be considered after the transaction is complete.

"We're happy with the facility as is," Tate said.

The application should come before the gaming commission by the first quarter of 2007. The casino operates 180 slot machines under a non-restrictive gaming license.

Generally, background investigations are conducted on each principal buying a casino property and the financial transaction is carefully reviewed, according to the gaming board.

Non-restrictive gaming license are coveted in the industry because a casino property with this type of license does not have to meet a Carson City requirement for gaming properties to have a 100-room hotel. Other gaming venues can also be added to it, such as table games, which Cactus Jack's does not have.

Scott Johnson, co-owner of Stew's Sportatorium at the Lucky Spur, also a long-time historic gaming location, believes the sale will be good for Carson City.

"Any modernization and progression in the downtown area is good for everyone," he said.

Northern Nevada Comstock Investments is an affiliate of W. C. W. Corp., which owns the Fallon Nugget and Bonanza Inn & Casino in Fallon and the Silver Springs Nugget.

• Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.