Jason Hidalgo

jhidalgo@rgj.com

New ownership of the Nugget Casino Resort is now official.

The sale of the Nugget Casino Resort to Marnell Gaming was finalized early Friday, adding the property to a gaming portfolio that includes the Colorado Belle and Edgewater casino resorts in Laughlin, Nev. Marnell Gaming did not disclose the terms of the deal.

The company will keep the Nugget Casino Resort name and is now focusing on improvements to the property, which counts 1,400 guest rooms, eight restaurants and an indoor atrium pool among its amenities. Marnell Gaming plans to spend $25 million in the next 18 months to 24 months, which will include renovations to the Nugget’s two hotel towers and convention center. A large number of the 1,000 slot machines in the Nugget’s 75,000-square foot casino will be replaced as well.

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“We are ready to quickly invest the capital needed to take the Nugget Casino Resort to the top of its game,” said Anthony Marnell III, Marnell Gaming chairman and CEO, in a prepared statement.

Nugget Advantage Rewards members also will retain their benefits and status for now, with player’s club members eventually being eligible for a new corporate-wide player’s program launching later this year.

In addition to keeping the property's name, events such as the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off, Star Spangled Sparks and Thanksgiving and Christmas meals for St. Vincent’s Dining Room will continue.

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