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'Jethro' Gets License Approved

by Cy Ryan

CARSON CITY, Nevada -- Let me tell you the story 'bout a man named Jethro.

Max, that is.

Actor Max Baer Jr., one of the stars of the television series "The Beverly Hillbillies" has gained preliminary approval from state gaming regulators to own a minor percentage in a small casino in North Las Vegas.

Baer, son of boxing legend Max Baer, played Jethro, the not-too-sharp son on the TV show.

Baer told the state Gaming Control Board Wednesday that he's going to "turn a shovel in the ground" in the next year on a location for a casino in Northern Nevada.

Through Max Baer Productions, Ltd., Baer and his partner Roger S. Camras will own a 10 percent stake in the Beverly Hillbillies Gambler Casino at 2501 E. Lake Mead Blvd.

The casino's primary owner will be John George Karras with a 90 percent share. Karras has worked in casinos in New Jersey and was a consultant to Harrah's Entertainment on a Louisiana gaming venture.

The North Las Vegas casino is licensed for 30 slot machines.

Baer owns a former Wal Mart store in Carson City but his plans to develop a hotel-casino on the 12.8 acres in a shopping center have run into opposition from nearby property owners. He said his primary goal in getting the license for the North Las Vegas casino is to make it easier to get a state license when he builds his new project.

The gaming regulators would only have to update his background investigation if he applied for a new license.

Baer said he lives in Lake Tahoe, Beverly Hills and Las Vegas.

Preston Howard, attorney for Karras, said the new majority owner intends to "invigorate" the small North Las Vegas casino. It's in a shopping mall and it will target neighborhood clientele.

Howard said Karras will use Baer's "marketing expertise."

Baer said there are already Beverly Hillbilly slot machines at the location.

The control board recommended approval; the state Gaming Commission meets Aug. 25 to take final action on the application.

Other applications recommend for approval included:

- Rodolfo E. Prieto as chief executive officer and general manager of the Las Vegas Hilton. He told the board business has been "fantastic" at the near-Strip resort and it has started a $20 million remodeling that could be completed in December. Conventions account for 40-45 percent of the property's business and Prieto told the board he was "bullish" on the monorail's effect on the Hilton.

- Saeed Reza Shakeri for his 100 percent stake in the Silver Saddle Saloon at 2501 E. Charleston Blvd. in Las Vegas. Attorney Jeff Silver, representing Shakeri, told the board the club has "been plagued by criminal activity" in the area. He said he and Shakeri met with Metro police representatives and have worked out a plan to cut down the problems in the vicinity.

Copyright © Las Vegas Sun. Inc. Republished with permission.

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