Dotty's casino to open next month

Carson City's newest gaming venue is smaller than the Pi-on Plaza or Slotworld, but it has a niche in the area's growing gaming industry, developer Craig Estey said.

Dotty's will open in January in the Scolari's shopping center, offering a low-key atmosphere and a small inventory of 30 slot machines.

"It's not a casino really," said Estey. It will be the 11th Dotty's in Nevada, and the first outside of Clark County. "It will like your grandmother's kitchen."

Estey said the western theme of "country classic cafe" has made his properties attractive to a loyal clientele in the Las Vegas and Clark County operations.

He describes Dotty's as "nonthreatening, relaxed, open, spacious, clean and safe," attributes he says are missing from many similar-sized venues that are often attached to sports bars.

The machines will be mixed with a small cafe and bar area.

Since the first Dotty's opened, Estey, who learned business in the restaurant industry, said his company's growth has "inched along," with positive returns. After the Highway 50 location is complete and operational, he plans to add five or six more venues in Northern Nevada.

The club will employ between 10 and 12 people, Estey said.

But a proposed ordinance in Carson City may prevent the development of future clubs in the city limits. If passed, the new gaming restriction would require gaming properties (that operate with unrestricted gaming licenses) to develop at least 100 hotel/motel rooms as part of the same properties.

The issue will likely be voted on at the Carson City supervisors meeting later this month. If approved, developers would still have up to a year to apply for unrestricted gaming licenses under the existing law.

Estey said similar laws are in place in Clark County and Las Vegas, but by developing properties that were already licensed, he was able to get around the high start-up costs. No such loophole would be available in Carson City if the gaming ordinance passed.