The Nevada Gaming Control Board has approved Golden Entertainment's plan to go private. CEO Blake Sartini told regulators that a lagging stock price and investors not properly valuing the casino operator were the main reasons behind the decision. The company will sell its operating assets to Sartini and affiliates and its casino real estate assets to VICI Properties through a sale-leaseback arrangement. Golden Entertainment operates seven casino properties in Nevada as well as 72 gaming taverns.

Why it matters

The move to go private will allow Golden Entertainment to take a longer-term approach and be more selective and patient in pursuing growth opportunities, without the pressure of quarterly reporting and Wall Street expectations. It also highlights the ongoing shift in the gaming industry, with more mid-market operators choosing to operate privately rather than deal with the demands of being a public company.

The details

Under the deal, VICI Properties will become Golden Entertainment's real estate partner for seven Nevada casino properties, including the flagship STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower on the Las Vegas Strip. Golden will continue to own the real estate for its Gold Town Casino in Pahrump. The company will also retire its debt in the transaction, which will improve its cash flow going forward. Golden Entertainment has about 5,000 employees and plans to open one to two new taverns per year as part of the private transition.

• The Nevada Gaming Control Board approved the move on April 8, 2026.
• The deal will go before the Nevada Gaming Commission on April 23, 2026.
• Shareholders approved the $30 per share deal last week, up from $20 per share prior to the announcement.