Casino News

Ex Sinatra-owned casino gets new operator

2006-12-08 16:02:15

Regulators in the state of Nevada have agreed to recommend that Tom Celani become the new operator of the Cal-Neva casino on Lake Tahoe, it has been revealed.

Reacting to the news, Mr Celani said that he would spend several million dollars on upgrading the casino, and would use the venue's status as a former hotspot of Rat Pack activity as a means of bringing in more business.

Mr Celani's participation is subject to owner Namwest's own promised upgrades, however.

The Cal-Neva was owned by Frank Sinatra in the 1960s, and was consequently frequented by the likes of Sammy Davis Jr, Dean Martin and Marilyn Monroe.

Sinatra installed a special celebrity room along with a helipad to accommodate his celebrity guests, but was forced to give up the license in 1963 when it was revealed that he had allowed a renowned gangster into the venue.

The license is the first in the nation's premier gambling state for Mr Celani, who nonetheless has held over 20 licenses in his lifetime.


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