Ojos Locos Sports Cantina y Casino

(Redirected from Lucky Club Casino and Hotel)

Ojos Locos Sports Cantina y Casino is a casino in North Las Vegas, Nevada. The property is owned and operated by Fifth Street Gaming. It includes an Ojos Locos sports bar and restaurant, as well as a 90-room hotel known as Hotel Jefe.

Ojos Locos Sports Cantina y Casino
Former Lucky Club logo
Location North Las Vegas, Nevada
Address 3227 Civic Center Drive
No. of rooms90
Total gaming space15,600 sq ft (1,450 m2)[1]
Casino typeLand-Based
OwnerFifth Street Gaming
Previous namesBudget Host Inn
Cheyenne Hotel
Ramada Inn and Speedway Casino
Lucky Club
Websiteluckyclublv.com

History

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Budget Host Inn

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In June 1995, after spending eight years in bankruptcy, the Budget Host Inn was acquired at auction for $1.1 million by Shawn Scott, owner of the Post Office Casino in Henderson.[2]

Cheyenne Hotel (1995–99)

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Scott renamed it as the Cheyenne Hotel, and made plans to revitalize the run-down property, including reopening the restaurant and lounge and adding a hotel tower and a casino, taking advantage of the site's grandfathered gaming status.[2] He requested a license for 75 slot machines and 2 table games, but the Nevada Gaming Commission in December 1996 issued only an 11-month limited license for 25 machines, finding his record management to be sloppy.[3] By 1997, the Cheyenne was operating as a Days Inn.[4]

In 1998, MTR Gaming, the West Virginia-based parent company of the Mountaineer Racetrack, acquired the Cheyenne for $5.5 million in cash.[5]

Ramada Hotel and Speedway Casino (1999–2008)

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MTR said it would complete an expansion already in progress, adding 10,000 square feet (930 m2) of gaming space with 350 slot machines and 5 table games, and would rename the property as the Speedway Hotel & Casino and add a motor racing theme, in reference to the nearby Las Vegas Motor Speedway.[6] The hotel became a Ramada Inn. The casino opened in March 1999, leased to Dynasty Games, with 143 slot machines.[7] MTR received its gaming license the following September, and said it would take over operation of the casino on October 1.[8] The official grand opening was held in March 2000, with the casino having expanded to over 300 slot machines, with table games and a Leroy's sportsbook, racing-themed dining areas, and a racecar simulator.[9]

By November 2000, the property had failed to turn a profit, and was taking measures to attract value-conscious guests, including Hispanics, Nellis Air Force Base personnel, and North Las Vegas residents.[10] By 2004, MTR was reporting annual net revenue of $9.8 million at the Speedway.[11]

In February 2007, MTR agreed to sell the complex to Mandekic Cos. for $18.2 million.[11] Mandekic assigned its agreement in May to Ganaste, LLC,[12] a partnership of three investors managed by Seth Schorr, son of Wynn Resorts COO Marc Schorr.[13] The buyers hoped to use the Speedway as a training ground to learn the gaming business before moving on to other acquisitions.[13] The sale of the land and buildings was completed in January 2008 for $11.4 million, with MTR continuing to operate the casino, leasing it for $70,000 a month.[13]

Lucky Club Hotel and Casino (2008–2023)

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Ganaste took full ownership in June 2008,[14] and promptly renamed the property as the Lucky Club Casino and Hotel.[15]

An electrical fire on June 9, 2008 forced the casino to close for two weeks while critical equipment was repaired.[14] Nevada Gaming Commission approvals in 2013 indicated that a reorganization plan was approved and new ownership was held by Lucky Silver Gaming (LSG). LSG is owned by Seth Schorr, Jeff Fine and other partners.[14] It has since been renamed Fifth Street Gaming.[16]

In 2018, the property was listed for sale with an asking price of $13 million,[17] but it was not sold.

Ojos Locos and Hotel Jefe (2023–present)

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Plans were announced in 2022 to renovate and rebrand the property to cater to the Latino community, centered around the addition of an Ojos Locos sports bar and restaurant.[18] The property opened as Ojos Locos Sports Cantina y Casino on February 6, 2023.[16][19] It was the first Nevada location for Ojos Locos,[20] and the first to include a casino.[21] The adjacent 90-room hotel was also renovated and renamed Hotel Jefe.[16][19]

References

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  1. ^ "MTR Gaming Group Inc". Retrieved 2008-02-09.
  2. ^ a b Badger, Michael (July 25, 1995). "Renovations perk up blighted corner". Las Vegas Review-Journal.  – via Factiva (subscription required)
  3. ^ Vogel, Ed (December 11, 1996). "Gaming regulators grill Ormsby House owner". Las Vegas Review-Journal.  – via Factiva (subscription required)
  4. ^ Edwards, John G. (July 29, 1997). "Las Vegan buys stake in Sands Regent". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2012-09-21.
  5. ^ "Company buys two resorts - Race track's parent group acquires hotels, casinos in Nevada". Charleston Gazette. May 7, 1998.  – via Factiva (subscription required)
  6. ^ "MTR Gaming Group Purchases Two Nevada Gaming Properties" (Press release). MTR Gaming Group. May 7, 1998.
  7. ^ "MTR Gaming Group opens Speedway Casino". Reuters. March 9, 1999.  – via Factiva (subscription required)
  8. ^ "MTR Gaming receives licenses for casinos". Las Vegas Review-Journal. September 24, 1999. Retrieved 2012-09-21.
  9. ^ "MTR Gaming Group Announces Grand Opening of Speedway Casino & Cafe" (Press release). MTR Gaming Group. March 2, 2000. Retrieved 2012-09-21.
  10. ^ Hodge, Damon (November 22, 2000). "Fast times foreseen for Speedway". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2012-09-21.
  11. ^ a b Knightly, Arnold M. (February 14, 2007). "Speedway Casino sold away". Las Vegas Review-Journal (via Casino City Times). Retrieved 2012-09-21.
  12. ^ Form 10-K (Report). MTR Gaming Group. April 3, 2008. p. 27. Retrieved 2012-09-21.
  13. ^ a b c Knightly, Arnold M. (January 18, 2008). "New Speedway owner has revival plans for NLV casino". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2012-09-21.
  14. ^ a b c Knightly, Arnold M. (September 26, 2008). "Staging a revival in troubled times". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2012-09-21.
  15. ^ Knightly, Arnold M. (November 2, 2008). "Feeling Lucky: Ex-Wynn worker aims to remake Speedway Casino". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2012-09-21.
  16. ^ a b c Velotta, Richard N. (February 3, 2023). "Soon-to-open Ojos Locos offers preview of new look". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  17. ^ "Colliers International – Las Vegas offers sale of full-service hotel casino in North Las Vegas" (Press release). Colliers International. November 21, 2018. Retrieved 2018-11-24 – via Nevada Business.
  18. ^ Velotta, Richard N. (April 6, 2022). "Ojos Locos, Fifth Street Gaming renovating NLV's Lucky Club". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2022-04-09.
  19. ^ a b "Ojos Locos Sports Cantina Y Casino, Hotel Jefe to open hotel-casino for Latino community". KSNV. February 1, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  20. ^ "Ojos Locos Sports Cantina Y Casino opens as first Latino-focused hotel in North Las Vegas valley". KTNV. February 4, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  21. ^ Karel, Janna (February 1, 2023). "'Mexican Hooters' Is Getting Its Very Own Casino in North Las Vegas". Eater. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
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36°13′7″N 115°7′17″W / 36.21861°N 115.12139°W / 36.21861; -115.12139