Silver Springs gamblers get another place to play

There's a new place to play in Lyon County.

The Silver Strike Casino opened Sept. 20 in the building that once housed Piper's Casino, a Silver Springs landmark

Assistant general manager Cheryl Prosser said the casino is drawing players from Silver Springs and nearby towns.

"We love our locals," she said. "We're getting quite a few players from Fallon, Dayton and Fernley."

Prosser said the casino, affiliated with the Carson Plains Casino in Dayton and the Silverado Casino in Fernley, is planning a grand opening as soon as "a few bugs are worked out.

"Everything's running smoothly, there's just little things we need to work out before we have a big opening party," she said. "So far it's doing quite well. Most of the comments we are receiving are good."

The casino boasts 91 slot machines, all of which will be ticket-in/ticket-out games. A new Cal-Neva Sports Book is planned for November.

Prosser said there are no slots at the bar, which can be good news for beer drinkers who like to get together and tell stories without being interrupted by players looking for a new game.

The Silver Strike also boasts a family-style restaurant, Strikers, which is open from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and will offer breakfast, lunch and dinner specials.

Prosser said those hours could change, depending on customers' needs.

"We're not used to this area, so some things may be subject to change," she said.

The casino is looking for busing help and dishwashers, and will employ about 40 people eventually.

Prosser said she doesn't see the Silver Strike drawing customers away from any other area.

"I think the town is big enough for two casinos," she said. "We're not in competition with anyone."

Piper's had been owned by the Piper family since the late 1980s, and the buildings go back to the early 1950s, when the site was known as the Bluebird Cafe.

Piper's Casino closed after its owners decided to retire, Prosser said.

She expects the Silver Strike to have the same success.

"It's a new place in this town, and everyone is excited about having someplace new," she said.

• Contact reporter Karen Woodmansee at kwoodmansee@nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 351.