The latest addition to Reno’s gaming scene, The Mint, officially opened its doors on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, at the former Harrah’s location on 210 N. Virginia St.
This intimate casino ranks among the smallest in the region, featuring just 18 gaming machines. There are no table games or sports betting options. The Mint also presents a nostalgic bar offering creative cocktails, such as the Gold Rush, crafted with Maker’s Mark bourbon, lemon juice, and honey syrup. The adjacent restaurant provides breakfast and a variety of quick meals including pizza, wings, and wraps. The Mint is open 24/7.
Harrah’s Reno, which first launched on October 10, 1969, was the original casino to bear the Harrah name, established by William F. Harrah. The establishment closed its doors on March 17, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the acquisition of Caesars by Eldorado Resorts. The resort’s 928-room hotel and expansive 40,000-square-foot casino remained inactive for five years after an unsuccessful redevelopment attempt into a mixed-use project titled “Reno City Center.”
In 2023, the building, renowned for its design by acclaimed Las Vegas architect Martin Stern Jr., was acquired by Gryphon Private Wealth Management and Madison Capital Group, who unveiled plans for “Revival,” a mixed-use development offering office spaces, retail outlets, restaurants, bars, and a grocery store. Initially, the redevelopment proposal excluded casino gaming.
The Mint casino and bar, designed as a temporary venture, serves as the inaugural amenity for the rebranded Reno Revival project. Though originally set to launch in October, The Mint’s grand opening was postponed to late November. Local media confirmed that the casino bar commenced operations on Thanksgiving Day without much publicity.
Madison subsequently collaborated with Fine Entertainment, a gaming operator based in Las Vegas, to bring this boutique casino to life. The Nevada Gaming Commission granted the gaming license in 2023. Although currently temporary, The Mint casino and bar helps to uphold that license.
Fine Entertainment operates several other dining and gaming venues, including The George Sportsmen’s Lounge, The Rockhouse at The Venetian, The Oak Room, and BLVD Grille.
According to Fine Entertainment CEO Jonathan Fine, The Mint aims to offer a distinctive vibe rather than replicating Las Vegas entertainment. “We’re not aspiring to recreate the Las Vegas-style experience,” he mentioned during an interview with the Reno Gazette-Journal. “We’re channeling a Nashville vibe or an Austin flair but infused with a touch more glam, and a bit larger scale than what you might encounter in Austin.”