The new Hooters Casino Hotel, scheduled to open in early February in Las Vegas, was approved by Nevada regulators on Thursday after company executives predicted it would succeed with a "pleasantly rustic but unrefined" marketing strategy.
The state gaming control board recommended licensing for the resort, which is part of the Hooters chain's aggressive diversification, after asking questions about its financial outlook, executive background, staffing plans and other details.
There was also a brief discussion of the "Hooters Girls," who will wear trademark tank tops and baggy shorts to serve food, run cocktails and trade from the low stakes "pun pit" on the casino floor to blackjack.
The board's recommendation for the resort license at the old Hotel San Remo, which is currently undergoing $130 million in renovations and financial restructuring, goes to the parent gaming board, which will make its final decision at a meeting here on Oct. 20. 카지노사이트 모음
Control Board Chairman Dennis Nilander said the resort's financial outlook appeared optimistic, but the project's chief operating officer and general manager, Michael Hessling, said: "I see it as quite conservative."
"This will be a property that people want to visit," Hessling said, adding that the resort will benefit from major locations near MGM Grand, New York-New York, Luxor, Excalibur and other Las Vegas strip mega resorts.
Hooters Casino Hotels CEO Neil Kiefer said additional funding could be provided if needed, adding: "Certainly we have a place to do that."
Board member Bobby Siller raised the issue of Hooters girls being women with "certain physical qualities" and asked how tips could be fairly distributed between them and other employees whose individual tip income may be lower.
Hessling replied that all the details of the tip distribution were unresolved. Though it appears to be double-stated in Hooters' name, the website states that there are no physical or other criteria other than an extroverted, friendly personality and "all American cheerleader-surfer-girl next door".
The resort will feature 690 rooms, 670 slots, 32 table games, three poker games, a sportsbook, and several restaurants and bars. Currently, about 500 people are working at the resort, and they will have the opportunity to stay at the new resort. Hessling said about 500 more employees will also be added before the scheduled Feb. 3 opening.
The Atlanta-based America's Hooters of America purchased the resort last year. In addition to Hooters Air, which serves more than a dozen cities, including Las Vegas, there are more than 375 Hooters in 46 states and 14 foreign countries.
