Gold Rush Casino to reopen as Wildfire Sunset

Wildfire Gaming plans to open its fourth location in Southern Nevada, a company spokeswoman confirmed Tuesday.

Lori Nelson, vice president of corporate communications with Station Casinos LLC, said the Gold Rush Casino in Henderson closed Friday and will reopen in three to four months as Wildfire Sunset.

The Gold Rush is at Sunset Road and Marks Street, adjacent to Sunset Casino. Nelson declined to discuss costs of the renovation except to say it represents "a substantial investment" on the part of the company's Wildfire Gaming Division.

She said Wildfire Sunset will include the same amenities as the other three locations, including a sports book, a modest casino with slot machines, a bar and the company's Wildburger restaurant.

Nelson said all employees were offered placement at other properties, but not every employees agreed to the transfer option and instead some took advantage of a severance package they were offered.

The three other Wildfire Gaming properties are Wildfire Boulder at 2000 S. Boulder Highway, Wildfire Lanes at 4451 E. Sunset Road, and Wildfire Rancho at 1901 N. Rancho Road.

Nelson said Station Casinos had no plans at the moment to convert other smaller casinos to the Wildfire brand. Once completed, Wildfire Sunset will operate as a small neighborhood casino and tavern, compared to Sunset Station, a traditional casino with slot machines, table games, restaurants, hotel rooms and other amenities.

The Wildfire Gaming division was built out between 1996 and 2005 as Station Casinos opened or acquired eight smaller properties in Southern Nevada. Those properties include Days Inn at Wild Wild West; Barley's Casino & Brewery; the three original Wildfire properties; The Greens; Gold Rush, and Lake Mead Casino.

Contact reporter Chris Sieroty at csieroty@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893.