Golden Entertainment Eyes 2023 for Colorado Belle Decision
Posted on: December 11, 2022, 05:28h.
Last updated on: December 11, 2022, 06:30h.
Golden Entertainment (NASDAQ: GDEN) could render a decision on the fate of the currently shuttered Colorado Belle in Laughlin, Nevada next year. But it’s unlikely the operator will reopen the riverboat casino.
In an interview with Richard Velotta of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Blake Sartini II, the son of Golden Chairman and CEO Blake Sartini, said the operator would like to make a decision on what’s next for the Colorado Belle in 2023.
I think the reopening is probably something we would not approach again,” said Sartini II in the interview. “We were successful in moving that business to the other two properties. What that has allowed us to do now is to focus on what can we do with that land.”
The elder Sartini addressed the fate of the Colorado Belle earlier this year on the company’s second-quarter earnings conference call. The chief executive officer noted the operator is maintaining the gaming license for the riverfront casino-hotel while “exploring A to Z opportunities for that piece of property.”
Colorado Belle: Victim of Coronavirus Shutdown
While the vast majority of Nevada casinos reopened following the state-mandated coronavirus closures in early 2020, some have not, and the Colorado Belle is part of that group and has been shuttered for more than 30 months.
As is the case with other gaming companies that operate multiple casinos in the same market, Golden shifted business from the Colorado Belle to the Aquarius and Edgewater — its other Laughlin venues.
As the gaming license holder and real estate owner, Golden holds all the cards regarding Colorado Belle’s future. The operator could demolish the venue, turn it into a non-gaming venue, or sell it to a competitor. In the Review-Journal interview, Sartini II didn’t mention the possibility of selling the venue.
It’s possible that an operator looking to enter Nevada could be interested in buying the Colorado Belle. But under that scenario, the prospective buyer would be entering into direct competition with Golden and Caesars Entertainment — the two dominant players in the Laughlin market.
Options Abound for Colorado Belle
While Golden reopening the venue appears highly unlikely and sale talk is just speculation at this point, there are still plenty of options for what the owner can do with the Colorado Belle.
“It’s a premium piece of land in that market. It might be nice to maybe put the event center down in that space and have an event center right there on the river. It’s something we’ve often talked about as well,” said Sartini II in the Review-Journal interview.
Separately, Sartini II said Golden is has expansion plans for its PT’s Pub brand. The operator is adding another PT’s location at Desert Inn and Durango in Las Vegas in the second quarter, with the possibility of several more venues coming online in the second half of 2023.
Related News Articles
Sands Focusing on Nassau County in New York Casino Bid
Vornado Could Eye Madison Square Garden Area for New York Casino
Bally’s Discussing Bronx Casino with Trump Organization
Most Popular
Most Commented
Most Read
LOST VEGAS: First Documented ‘Trick Roll’ by a Prostitute
Last Comments ( 29 )
Open the walk way make the Belle parking area about 200 yards total so people so the can sit and have coffee let the kids play on the grass make it cooler with trees,the inside with stores high fashion clothing,ronnie dunn of singing group brooks and dunn said his wife did not come with him during his concert stop nowhere for her to shop.
I loved the Colorado Belle it was a fun casino to go to I wish they would op6it up again instead of just letting it sit & rot away
My wife and I enjoyed the Belle for over twenty years and miss the atmosphere it provided along with the awesome feeling the staff provided. We stayed at the Edgewater the first year after the Belle closed and had to move three times because of mold in the tub. Since then we have been staying at the Aquarius, which was a huge improvement from the Edgewater. Should have closed the Edgewater and kept the Colorado Belle open. This may be the last year we go to Laughlin.
It's a shame that the Colorado Belle more than likely won't be opening. The layout was great. Festive, fun, and where I spent most of my money. I realize others have their favs,but because of its look,it stood out amoing all other hotels. I feel the decision to keep it closed was the wrong one. To bad.
Love the Belle! Sad! Use rent a room with a balcony and river view. Sitting there drinking a cold one and smoking s fatty!
It’s the Best Place there in Laughlin! Don’t like the added enclosed walkway, sorry but that needs to go. Bring the pastries and donuts back. It would be nice if cleared out and had its own sandy beach. Been going there since like forever, since you first opened. Please reopen so we can continue our memories and bring the town back ALIVE. It’s so desolate there with it shut down. Please fix your water leak in tbe main basement from the fish pond around it so we can have fun there again!
Yes please open the Belle. Went there over 30 years. Preferred slot player. Miss my room I always have gotten. PLEASE BRING BACK THE COIN SLOTS AND BIG BERTHA. Miss the ribs and especially the ham and eggs. I practically owned that place with all the money I put into it.
Laughlin needs an upscale 21+ only resort. Perfect opportunity to gut it, reinforce the structure and market it as an adults-only playground. No kids running through the lobby/casino/restaurants would be a dream.
Open up a water park. A place where folks can drop off their kids while they go play and finally something besides jet skiing and the feeble video arcades for kids to do.
I really don't understand why re-opening (even just starting the casino portion initially) isn't on the table. That place would fill up instantly! It is a travesty that the Hotel in Laughlin with the most character is just sitting there vacant. Everyone loved that place. The atmosphere, the live music, the brewery, and just being able to walk through it to get to the Pioneer from Edge Water, made that place extremely essential to visitors. What is wrong with these people who own the property? There must be something they aren't telling us.
Remodel and open back up. I agree with the Mardi Gras idea of it. Loved the buffet and the whole feel of it. Made me want to go there all the time.
Throughout the years, we spent so many family get always at the Belle. My wife and I would sit every morning on the balcony with a hot cup of coffee looking at the beautiful views of the river and back drop of the hills of bullhead city. In the evening with a glass of wine and had heartfelt conversations regarding our children and lives together. So many fond memories there. The Belle was different from the other casinos which were much larger, busier, crowded and only window viewed rooms. Laughlin is well known for the unique Colorado Belle, that beautiful boat on the river situated right in the middle of casino row on the river. . It would be just horrible to destroy the ship. I challenge a savvy investor(s) who is/are a creative marketing genius(s) to purchase the Belle, revive it to its profitable capabilities and show the world his/her talents. Make the Belle a vacation getaway for everyone, singles, families, seniors, children, wedding venue, bowling leagues, competitions, offer desert and river excursions, etc.,etc. Bring the world back to Laughlin and the Colorado Belle. Don’t destroy the unique wimsy of the ship that has brought people so many fond memories throughout the years. And as important bring more jobs back to Laughlin.
I was so disappointed to see it closed my wife and did a funky road trip from Phoenix to Vegas to Laughlin and we stayed at the Colorado Belle we both thought it was so unique and was the stage of the whole town, we were just there left yesterday we were so unhappy,we wish you would maybe remodel and reopen such a cool looking and unique place.
Sell it to Boyd Casinos. Or open it back up. I have always enjoyed going to the Colorado bell . Also what would bring in more revenue is bringing back the coin slot machines