Ojos Locos Sports Cantina y Casino
American sports bar and casino chain
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Ojos Locos Sports Cantina y Casino is a casino and hospitality property in North Las Vegas, Nevada, at the intersection of Civic Center Drive and Cheyenne Avenue. The site includes an Ojos Locos sports bar and restaurant, casino gaming, and a 90-room hotel now known as Hotel Jefe. Before its 2023 conversion to the Ojos Locos format, the property was widely known as the Lucky Club Casino and Hotel, a locally oriented casino associated particularly with North Las Vegas residents and Latino customers. The property traces its physical history to a hotel built in 1991. It initially operated as a Days Inn and was associated with Frank Paul Silver, a North Las Vegas obstetrician who also owned the Crystal Palace casino in Laughlin. Silver had earlier considered developing a casino at the site under the Cheyenne Gambling Hall and Saloon concept, but he was unable to secure a gaming license. By 1995, the struggling property was operating as the Budget Host Inn and was in bankruptcy. Shawn Scott acquired it at auction for $1.1 million, renamed it the Cheyenne Hotel, and pursued a limited gaming operation using the site's grandfathered gaming status. Nevada regulators initially expressed concerns about Scott's management record. In December 1996, the Nevada Gaming Commission granted an 11-month limited license allowing 25 slot machines rather than the larger number of machines and table games Scott had requested. The machines operated in the hotel's bar. In 1998, MTR Gaming acquired the property for $5.5 million and developed a larger casino structure. The site was renamed Speedway Casino, adopting a motor-racing theme connected with the nearby Las Vegas Motor Speedway. A casino opened in 1999 with 143 slot machines, and MTR subsequently assumed direct operation after receiving its gaming license. The formal opening in 2000 expanded the offering to more than 300 slot machines, table games, a sportsbook, racing-themed dining areas, and a race-car simulator. The hotel was renovated and operated within the Ramada Inn system. The Speedway concept struggled to generate a profit in its early period. Management sought value-conscious customers, including Hispanic communities, personnel from Nellis Air Force Base, and nearby North Las Vegas residents. By 2004, MTR reported annual net revenue of $9.8 million for the property. A sale process began in 2007, and the complex ultimately transferred to Ganaste, LLC, an investment partnership managed by Seth Schorr. Ganaste took full ownership on June 1, 2008, and promptly changed the name to Lucky Club Casino and Hotel. An electrical fire shortly after the ownership change closed the casino for approximately two weeks while equipment was repaired. The ownership group later operated under the Lucky Silver Gaming name and subsequently became Fifth Street Gaming. During the Lucky Club period, the property remained a relatively small local casino. In 2017, it had approximately 11,953 square feet of gaming space. It was offered for sale in 2018 with an asking price of $13 million, but the listing did not result in a reported sale. Fifth Street Gaming announced a major repositioning in April 2022. The plan was designed to focus the property on its local Latino customer base and make an Ojos Locos sports bar and restaurant the central feature. The renovated property opened on February 6, 2023, as Ojos Locos Sports Cantina y Casino. It became Ojos Locos's first Nevada location and the first location in the brand's system to incorporate a casino. The hotel was renovated at the same time and renamed Hotel Jefe. The current property therefore represents the continuation of the former Lucky Club site under a new restaurant, entertainment, and casino identity rather than a separate location.
History
The property at 3227 Civic Center Drive in North Las Vegas was built in 1991 as a hotel. It first operated as a Days Inn and was associated with Frank Paul Silver, a local obstetrician and casino owner. Silver had considered opening a casino at the site, but he was unable to obtain a gaming license for his proposed Cheyenne Gambling Hall and Saloon concept. By June 1995, the hotel was operating as the Budget Host Inn and was in bankruptcy. Shawn Scott purchased it at auction for $1.1 million and renamed it the Cheyenne Hotel. He sought to revive the restaurant and lounge operations and add gaming, relying in part on the property's grandfathered gaming status. Scott requested authorization for 75 slot machines and two table games, but the Nevada Gaming Commission raised concerns about his management record. In December 1996, it issued a limited 11-month license for 25 slot machines, which operated in the hotel's bar. MTR Gaming purchased the Cheyenne in May 1998 for $5.5 million in cash. It completed a casino expansion of approximately 10,000 square feet and renamed the property Speedway Casino, using a motor-racing theme inspired by the nearby Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The casino began operating in March 1999 with 143 slot machines under a lease arrangement with Dynasty Games. After MTR received its gaming license, it assumed casino operations in October 1999. A formal grand opening followed in March 2000, by which point the casino had more than 300 slot machines, table games, a Leroy's sportsbook, racing-themed dining spaces, and a race-car simulator. The hotel portion was renovated and affiliated with Ramada. The property did not initially turn a profit. In 2000, management sought to attract value-oriented patrons, including Hispanic customers, Nellis Air Force Base personnel, and residents of North Las Vegas. MTR later reported annual net revenue of $9.8 million in 2004. In 2007, MTR agreed to sell the complex to Mandekic Cos. for $18.2 million. Mandekic assigned the agreement to Ganaste, LLC, an investment partnership of three investors managed by Seth Schorr. The land and buildings were transferred in January 2008 for $11.4 million, while MTR continued to operate the casino under a lease costing $70,000 per month. Ganaste assumed full ownership on June 1, 2008, and renamed the property Lucky Club Casino and Hotel. An electrical fire one week later forced a temporary closure of about two weeks while essential equipment was repaired. The ownership group later became known as Lucky Silver Gaming and then Fifth Street Gaming. During the Lucky Club era, the casino remained a modest local property; its gaming area measured about 11,953 square feet in 2017. Fifth Street Gaming listed the property for sale in 2018 at $13 million, but no completed transaction was reported. The site's next major transition began in 2022, when Fifth Street Gaming announced renovation and rebranding plans centered on Ojos Locos, a sports-bar and restaurant concept. The strategy sought to build on the property's popularity among local Latino customers. Following renovation, the property reopened on February 6, 2023, as Ojos Locos Sports Cantina y Casino. The opening marked Ojos Locos's first Nevada venue and its first location incorporating casino gaming. The accompanying 90-room hotel was renovated and renamed Hotel Jefe. The former Lucky Club identity is therefore best understood as the previous operating brand of the same North Las Vegas hotel-casino property.
- 2023
Property reopens as Ojos Locos Sports Cantina y Casino
[1]The property opened under its current name, with the hotel renamed Hotel Jefe.
- 2022
Ojos Locos repositioning announced
[1]Fifth Street Gaming announced renovations and a rebrand focused on an Ojos Locos sports cantina.
- 2008
Lucky Club Casino and Hotel name introduced
[1]Ganaste took full ownership and renamed the property Lucky Club Casino and Hotel.
- 2000
Formal Speedway grand opening
[1]The expanded casino formally opened with more than 300 slot machines, table games, a sportsbook, themed dining, and a racing simulator.
- 1999
Speedway Casino opens
[1]The casino began operating under the Speedway Casino name with 143 slot machines.
- 1998
MTR Gaming acquires the property
[1]MTR Gaming bought the Cheyenne and proceeded with a casino expansion.
- 1996
Limited gaming license issued
[1]The Nevada Gaming Commission authorized a limited operation of 25 slot machines in the hotel's bar.
- 1995
Shawn Scott acquires the distressed hotel
[1]Shawn Scott purchased the bankrupt Budget Host Inn at auction for $1.1 million and renamed it the Cheyenne Hotel.
- 1991
Hotel constructed
[1]A hotel was built at the North Las Vegas site and initially operated as a Days Inn.
Products and positioning
A neighborhood-oriented casino and sports-entertainment property serving North Las Vegas, with an emphasis on value-conscious local customers, Latino audiences, televised sports, casual dining, and integrated hotel accommodation.
Gaming · 1996
Casino gaming
The property provides casino gaming in a neighborhood-oriented setting. Its historical gaming formats included slot machines, table games, and a sportsbook. During the Lucky Club period, the casino had approximately 11,953 square feet of gaming space in 2017. The current property combines casino operations with the Ojos Locos sports-cantina concept.
Food and entertainment · 2023
Ojos Locos sports cantina
The Ojos Locos sports cantina and restaurant is the focal point of the property's post-2022 repositioning. It brings a casual sports-bar and dining format into the casino property and was intended to strengthen the venue's appeal to local Latino customers and sports-oriented visitors.
Hotel accommodation · 2023
Hotel Jefe
Hotel Jefe is the renovated 90-room hotel attached to the casino property. It previously operated under several names, including Days Inn, Budget Host Inn, Cheyenne Hotel, and the hotel component associated with Speedway and Lucky Club. The Hotel Jefe name was introduced with the 2023 Ojos Locos rebrand.
Marketing campaigns
- 2022Ojos Locos renovation and rebrand
North Las Vegas · Nevada · United States
Fifth Street Gaming planned a renovation centered on an Ojos Locos sports bar and restaurant. The initiative was designed to serve the property's established local Latino audience while adding a stronger food, sports, and entertainment identity to the casino.
Outcome. The property reopened in February 2023 as Ojos Locos Sports Cantina y Casino, with the hotel renamed Hotel Jefe.
Brand decisions
2022
Reposition the property around Ojos LocosStrategyBackground
Fifth Street Gaming sought to build on the property's popularity among local Latino customers and refresh its food, sports, and entertainment offer.
Action taken
The owner announced renovations and selected Ojos Locos as the principal restaurant and entertainment brand.
Aftermath
The venue reopened in 2023 as Ojos Locos Sports Cantina y Casino, with the hotel renamed Hotel Jefe.
2008
Rename the property Lucky Club Casino and HotelOtherBackground
Ganaste completed the acquisition of the hotel and casino complex from the previous ownership arrangement.
Action taken
The new owner changed the operating name from Speedway Casino to Lucky Club Casino and Hotel.
Aftermath
The Lucky Club name remained in use until the property's 2023 Ojos Locos conversion.
1998
Adopt the Speedway Casino conceptStrategyBackground
MTR Gaming acquired the Cheyenne and planned to complete a casino expansion near the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Action taken
MTR renamed the property Speedway Casino and gave it a motor-racing theme, adding a larger casino structure and racing-related amenities.
Aftermath
The casino opened in 1999 and formally expanded its operations in 2000.
1996
Accept a limited initial gaming licenseStrategyBackground
The proposed operator sought authorization for 75 slot machines and two table games, but regulators expressed concerns about management practices.
Action taken
The Nevada Gaming Commission issued an 11-month license limited to 25 slot machines in the hotel's bar.
Aftermath
The property established a small gaming operation before later expansion under MTR Gaming.
Recent events
- 2023
Ojos Locos Sports Cantina y Casino opens in North Las Vegas[1]
Product launch
The renovated property opened under the Ojos Locos Sports Cantina y Casino name. It was the Ojos Locos brand's first Nevada site and its first casino location; the hotel was renamed Hotel Jefe.
- 2022
Fifth Street Gaming announces Ojos Locos renovation and rebrand[1]
Campaign
Fifth Street Gaming announced plans to renovate and reposition the Lucky Club around an Ojos Locos sports bar and restaurant, targeting the property's local Latino customer base.
- 2018
Lucky Club property offered for sale[1]
Other
The property was listed for sale with an asking price of $13 million. The listing did not result in a reported completed sale.
- 2008
Ganaste completes acquisition and renames the property Lucky Club[1]
M&A · Other
Ganaste completed the purchase of the land and buildings and took full ownership of the property. It renamed the former Speedway Casino as Lucky Club Casino and Hotel.
- 2008
Electrical fire temporarily closes the casino[1]
Other
An electrical fire occurred approximately one week after the ownership change. The casino closed for about two weeks while critical equipment was repaired.
- 2007
MTR Gaming agrees to sell the Speedway Casino complex[1]
M&A
MTR Gaming agreed to sell the Speedway Casino complex to Mandekic Cos. for a reported $18.2 million. The agreement was later assigned to Ganaste, LLC.
Sources1 sources
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