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Railroad Pass Casino Owner Gets Thumbs Up From Regulators

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A Henderson real estate broker can add casino owner and operator to his title.

The Nevada Gaming Commission approved a license for Joe DiSimone Jr. on Thursday to oversee the 84-year-old Railroad Pass Hotel and Casino near the Hoover Dam.

DiSimone of First Federal Realty bought the casino-hotel from MGM Resorts in April. It opened in 1931 as a casino and a dance hall visited by workers building the dam. It has 120 rooms, 300 slot machines, six table games and a sports book.

DiSimone says he plans to overhaul the property's air-conditioning and renovate its 120 rooms. The roof is being fixed and the exterior has been repainted.

Marcus Gaming LLC has been running the casino while DiSimone pursued a gambling license.

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