It’s official, Nevada-based gaming operator, Marnell Gaming, LLC announced that on Friday, May 6, 2016, it had taken ownership of one of Northern Nevada’s largest casinos, the former John Ascuaga’s Nugget in Sparks.
The terms of the sale were not disclosed.
Marnell Gaming said in its statement, that included in its plans for the property is a 75,000-square-foot casino, 1,400 guest rooms, entertainment venues, 110,000 square feet of meeting space, an indoor atrium pool, and eight restaurants. Marnell officials said that the company also has plans for $25 million in improvements and renovations, according to KRNV My News 4.
The company, owned by Anthony Marnell III, immediately addressed questions surrounding the status of some of the venue’s signature events, as well as the name of the property. Marnell Gaming said in the statement that the historic name of the property, Nugget Casino Resort, will remain the same. Marnell officials also said that the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off and Star Spangled Sparks will continue as well.
Marnell Gaming announced the company’s agreement to purchase the property in February. The casino was purchased in 2013 by Carlton Geer, who at that time said he never intended to sell so quickly, but that the CEO of Marnell Gaming made an unsolicited offer he couldn’t refuse, according to the Reno Gazette-Journal. And then just two weeks after the Gaming Control Board approved the deal, the Nevada Gaming Commission followed suit.