The iconic Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe is on track for a significant transformation into a Golden Nugget resort, with the changeover potentially happening as early as this fall. Gaming regulators have swiftly recommended approval for the ownership transition, paving the way for a new era for this prominent Stateline casino.
During a recent meeting, the Nevada Gaming Control Board quickly endorsed the acquisition of the 539-room hotel-casino. This resort, a landmark for visitors entering Stateline from Highway 50 towards California, is poised to become the latest addition to Tilman Fertitta’s Golden Nugget portfolio.
Tilman Fertitta, head of Fertitta Entertainment, which already operates six Golden Nugget casinos across various states, expressed his long-standing interest in the Lake Tahoe market. Speaking to the board remotely, Fertitta stated, “We saw this as a great opportunity. We will take this property and totally transform it, and as we always do, add the Golden Nugget name to it. We always expect it to be one of the top properties in the market.” His vision signals a comprehensive upgrade and rebranding of the Hard Rock Lake Tahoe into a premier Golden Nugget destination.
The all-cash deal, initially announced in March, is anticipated to finalize around August 25th, pending approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission. While the exact sale price remains undisclosed, the acquisition marks a significant shift in the Lake Tahoe casino landscape. Fertitta Entertainment is purchasing the operations from Paragon Gaming, the previous licensee of the Hard Rock brand. The property, rich in history, has previously operated under names such as Sahara Tahoe, High Sierra Resort, and Lake Tahoe Horizon, before becoming Hard Rock Lake Tahoe.
Strategically located on 24 acres near the picturesque Lake Tahoe and opposite Bally’s Lake Tahoe, the resort is a key player in the South Lake Tahoe casino market. Fertitta, related to the Fertitta brothers of Red Rock Resorts, highlighted Hard Rock Lake Tahoe’s strong customer base and indicated plans to integrate customers who hold credit at other Golden Nugget locations, further enhancing customer loyalty and reach.
Beyond casinos, Fertitta Entertainment’s vast holdings include the Houston Rockets NBA team and Landry’s, a hospitality giant with approximately 520 restaurants and entertainment venues. Fertitta hinted at introducing several of Landry’s popular restaurant brands to the transformed Golden Nugget Lake Tahoe, promising an enriched dining experience for guests. “When we go in, we basically touch every square foot of the casino, and all that will happen over the next 24 months,” Fertitta assured, indicating extensive renovations and upgrades throughout the property.
Fertitta also reassured the board that current Hard Rock Lake Tahoe employees would be retained, with plans to expand the workforce by “about 30 percent to 40 percent.” This commitment to job creation and local employment was welcomed by Gaming Control Board Chairman Kirk Hendrick, who stated, “The Golden Nugget brand will be a welcome addition to the Lake Tahoe business community.”
Adding to Fertitta Entertainment’s expansion, the company is also developing a substantial 2,420-room hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip, demonstrating significant growth and investment in the casino and resort industry. The transformation of Hard Rock Lake Tahoe into a Golden Nugget promises a revitalized and enhanced casino experience for visitors to Lake Tahoe, solidifying its position as a premier destination.
