On the recommendations of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, the state Gaming Commission on Feb. 27 will consider the licensing of Christopher Joy, general manager of Boyd Gaming’s Orleans Hotel & Casino; Ryan Paulos, general manager of Boyd’s the Gold Coast; and Najam Khan, general manager of Treasure Island. In addition to those, the Gaming Control Board advanced the licensing of Balamurugan Ganesan, manager of Mesquite Gaming.
Joy has worked in the industry for 30 years, with Boyd for six years after working for Caesars Entertainment and the Palms Casino Resort. Joy told the Board that business at the Orleans is going well, “but is a bit down from the peak in 2023. Our property remains busy. We have a lot going on.”
The Orleans has faced competition from the opening of Red Rock Resort’s Durango Casino & Resort in December 2023.
Joy said they’re remodeling more than 1,800 rooms that will start in the summer and take about a year.
Son of casino-industry veteran Bill Paulos, Ryan Paulos has worked in the industry since 2000, first as general manager at the Cannery Casino & Hotel and in his position at the Gold Coast since 2022.
“Your father is obviously a pioneer and a legend in the gaming industry and I’m sure you’ve learned a lot from him,” said Board Chair Kirk Hendrick. “You’ve been in the industry so long and hopefully he’s learned a lot from you as well.”
Ryan Paulos said they recently completed renovation of the rooms at the Gold Coast and this year the property plans to add some new food concepts.
Cassie Stratford, senior vice president of legal operations and compliance, told the Board that Boyd is focused on capital reinvestment in Nevada and across the U.S. That includes a new casino in east Henderson, Cadence Crossing, to replace Jokers Wild.
“Besides new projects, we’re taking the time to look carefully at the product we’re offering our customers and reinvest in our brick-and-mortar structures to ensure the top-quality gaming, hospitality and entertainment experience and contribute to the gaming market in Nevada,” Stratford said.
Board member George Assad praised the improvements made to the Suncoast Hotel & Casino, which has redone the sportsbook and is redoing the bingo room.
“We’re seeing positive customer response, which drives revenue,” Stratford said.
Khan, who started his career with Holiday Inn in New York City and worked around the country and abroad in the hotel industry, ultimately landed in gaming when hired by casino owner Phil Ruffin. He has worked for Ruffin for 30 years, starting at the Frontier Hotel & Casino before eventually landing at Treasure Island in 2009 after Ruffin acquired it.
Khan said there was no movement on a potential sale of Circus Circus, which Ruffin has put on the market. He said his boss is always looking for assets. “We have 102 acres and it’s a great location.”
Khan said Treasure Island is always looking at developing new concept restaurants. It did a $33 million upgrade with room plumbing.
The Board also signed off on the licensing of Balamurugan Ganesan, managing director of Oaktree Capital Management. Oaktree is a global investment firm headquartered in Los Angeles specializeing in private-equity investments with a growing focus in the gaming sector. Oaktree owns J&J gaming, a national leader in the installation and operation of regulated gaming devices in restaurants, bars, taverns, convenience stores, truck stops, and other authorized venues. Oaktree also owns the Casablanca Resort and Virgin River Hotel & Casino in Mesquite.
“We’ve invested more than $25 million in phase one, expanding the gaming floor with over 200 new machines,” Ganesan said. “We have a new showroom, a new cinema center, and a new central bar. At the gateway of Arizona and Utah on I-15, we’re playing a major ambassador role to visitors coming into this state.”
Oaktree owns Las Vegas-based Interblock Gaming, a developer and supplier of electronic table games, and Ganesan is the interim chief operating officer.
