Harrah’s Reno to be sold, will cease gaming operations

Reno is losing a big name....

https://www.rgj.com/story/news/money/business/2020/01/14/report-harrahs-reno-sold-cease-gaming-operations/4473186002/

 

Yikes! I was going to book a night there in June on our Tahoe trip. Thanks for the info!

 

Might still be able to do so. According the link, an actual announcement has not yet been made. Nor a date for closing the deal. And who is taking it over and if it will continue to be a casino or something else.

UPDATE - see link in post #6 below. Closing soon and no longer a casino.

 

Yeah, I'll definitely keep my eye on the situation. The place was really showing its age the last time I stayed there, but that was many years ago. I was looking forward to a last-night-of-vacation dinner at Harrah's Steakhouse there.

 

Learned how to play craps there in mid 90's when I lived in Reno. It was a bit tired 20 years ago, havent been there in years. Hopefully the staff can be accommodated at other properties.

 

This has been the talk for many years, but to see it come to be (allegedly) is very sad, especially for us Harrah's Reno/Tahoe regulars. I will be up there this weekend for their Millionaire Maker tournament. I feel for the staff there. I hope this is going to take awhile to close, and folks get a nice severance.

edit to add 2nd article
This article says they will close within 6 months.
https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/sources-historic-harrahs-reno-to-be-sold-and-converted-into-a-non-gaming-entity

I am curious about the gaming commission rules re: any requirements for local (non-WAN) machines paying out the high progressives, etc. (mentioned in the article).

 

The USBC Men's National Bowling tournament is next door at the National Bowling Stadium through July 4. Since the Eldorado properties are a presenting sponsor, there is no way they are going to close the property before the end of the tournament and make all sorts of degenerate gambling bowlers (many comped) scrambling for a new place to stay (even if The Row is across the street). Restaurants may close and the gaming floor may become more sparse of games (especially licensed ones that aren't renewed), but the property should still be operational until early-July.

After that, though?

I will be there May 2 thru 5 (with dinner reservations at the wonderful Steakhouse on May 4). I hope to give it a good sendoff.

 

Oh really?

Fave place to stay in Reno, whenever I get there, that is.

 

Derek Stevens had to do this at Mermaid's when he bought it and before he shut the doors. https://vitalvegas.com/mermaids-casino-will-give-away-thousands-in-progressive-jackpots-before-it-closes/

This is beginning to get interesting. Clearly Caesarado has begun shedding, I wonder which property will be next?

 

According to the article linked above, Montbleu at Lake Tahoe.

 

Oh boy, that's a sad thing to hear I quite liked Harrah's Reno.

I wonder what will happen with the restaurants... I've always wanted to try the steakhouse, so hopefully that will remain.

 

Reno is trying so hard to bootstrap, but downtown continues to go backwards too often.

 

I had stayed there in June 2018 and had opined that the place looked ready for closure or a massive rehab. If you recall the small casino by the hotel check-in, about half of the machines had already been removed and there were big gaps of emptiness. Further along that walkway (past the sportsbook) was the former poker room that had become a storage area. The gift shop that had been at the top of the escalators near the buffet was closed.

And the rooms really were long in the tooth... and that coming from someone who really uses a room for a nap and a shower.

When Eldorado announced Caesars purchase, and discussion included shedding some properties in areas where both brands existed, it was clear that Harrahs Reno was on the Death Watch. All three of The Row properties were much newer and well maintained. The only chance for reprieve was when Circus Circus gave a tower to UN-Reno... but apparently Eldorado has enough room inventory that they are able to withstand the closure of that CC tower and both Harrahs tower.

 

And the PGA Tour event is moving to Truckee. Another strike. (But a better course from the respective of hosting an event ... I love Old Greenwood!)

 

What will become of it ? I vote for Ice Skating Palace

 

I'm glad we got a chance to stay there a couple of years ago. I won't miss the hotel...quite possibly the worst bed I have ever slept on. The steakhouse was fantastic though.

 

This sucks because it might change on what we do with our CET players cards for 2021 (Low to Mid Diamond members). My buddy and I go 3-4 times to Reno and during the summer so it helps in for LV and lets us drive through the beautiful Donner Pass area from the Bay Area.

On the flip side, if CET cards are going to be accepted at Eldorado/Silver Legacy and Circus Circus, this shouldn't affect us too much.

Been to the steakhouse 3 times. I enjoyed it the first time and the second time was meh and third time was just OK. Had ribeye each time.

 

Can't see why the two programs wouldn't be merged under the Caesars Rewards umbrella. The CR program was one of the most valuable components of Caesars prior to the merger, and the database of players (and habits) is a huge upside to Eldorado.

 

I cannot say that Harrah's Reno is still a good property but I did like the craps with full pay All, Tall, Small and the outstanding steakhouse.

 

The last time I stayed there, one of the electrical outlets was an extension cord running behind the headboard.

I know I reported that here, and when I told a cow-orker (who is an electrical engineer) about it, he had a COW and stated that it was definitely a code violation, let alone a fire hazard.