Nugget sale to Marnell Gaming is finalized

Marnell Gaming is officially the new owner of the Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks. The sale closed May 6, 2016. The sale price has not been made public.

Anthony Marnell III, Chairman and CEO of Marnell Gaming, says he plans to spend $25 million to renovate and improve the Nugget Casino Resort over the next 18-24 months. He is planning renovations for the property’s two hotel towers and its convention center. Many of the casino’s 1,000 slot machines will also be replaced.

“We are ready to quickly invest the capital needed to take the Nugget Casino Resort to the top of its game,” he says. “I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the northern Nevada community.”

The Nugget Casino Resort joins the Marnell Gaming family’s portfolio, which includes the Colorado Belle and Edgewater casino resorts in Laughlin.

“This is a long-term investment opportunity for us,” said Marnell. “The Nugget is an iconic property in a great location and we hope to be here for many years.”

According to a news release, members of the Nugget’s players club will receive all the benefits offered in Marnell’s planned corporate-wide players club that will launch in late 2016. Current Nugget Advantage Rewards members will retain their current benefits and status in the interim and continue to earn towards maintaining or building to the next level of player rewards.

Marnell says the property’s name, Nugget Casino Resort, will remain, and special events including Star Spangled Sparks and the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off will continue.

The Nugget’s new leadership also plans to continue providing Thanksgiving and Christmas meals to St. Vincent’s Dining Room.