Gaming Commission considers Carmine's Pizza Kitchen gaming license amid patio debate
May 22, 2025 | Nevada Gaming Control Board, Executive Agencies, Organizations, Executive, Nevada
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Carmine's Pizza Kitchen, a new establishment by Raiders Way LLC, is seeking a restricted gaming license, and the Nevada Gaming Control Board has recommended its approval with conditions. The restaurant, managed by veteran restaurateur Carmine Vento, boasts a modern design that integrates a spacious indoor and outdoor dining experience, capitalizing on Las Vegas's favorable climate.
During the May 2025 Nevada Gaming Commission meeting, Vento presented his case, highlighting the restaurant's extensive layout, which exceeds the required 2,500 square feet for gaming establishments. The venue features over 4,000 square feet of patron space, including a 2,300-square-foot patio designed for year-round outdoor dining. The patio is equipped with heaters, misters, and ample seating, allowing guests to enjoy the space regardless of weather conditions.
Vento emphasized that the patio is an integral part of the establishment, arguing that it should be included in the square footage calculations for the gaming license. He pointed out that the Nevada Gaming Act does not explicitly limit the definition of "premises" to the interior of a building, and previous approvals for similar establishments have included outdoor areas in their calculations.
However, some commissioners expressed concerns about the implications of including outdoor space in the gaming license criteria. They worried it could set a precedent for future applications, potentially leading to establishments that operate primarily outdoors without the same level of investment in indoor facilities. Despite these concerns, Vento's experience and the restaurant's design were acknowledged as significant factors in the discussion.
The commission is expected to deliberate further on the application, weighing the potential benefits of Carmine's Pizza Kitchen against the regulatory implications of its outdoor gaming space. The outcome of this decision could shape the future of gaming licenses in Nevada, particularly for establishments that blend indoor and outdoor dining experiences.
During the May 2025 Nevada Gaming Commission meeting, Vento presented his case, highlighting the restaurant's extensive layout, which exceeds the required 2,500 square feet for gaming establishments. The venue features over 4,000 square feet of patron space, including a 2,300-square-foot patio designed for year-round outdoor dining. The patio is equipped with heaters, misters, and ample seating, allowing guests to enjoy the space regardless of weather conditions.
Vento emphasized that the patio is an integral part of the establishment, arguing that it should be included in the square footage calculations for the gaming license. He pointed out that the Nevada Gaming Act does not explicitly limit the definition of "premises" to the interior of a building, and previous approvals for similar establishments have included outdoor areas in their calculations.
However, some commissioners expressed concerns about the implications of including outdoor space in the gaming license criteria. They worried it could set a precedent for future applications, potentially leading to establishments that operate primarily outdoors without the same level of investment in indoor facilities. Despite these concerns, Vento's experience and the restaurant's design were acknowledged as significant factors in the discussion.
The commission is expected to deliberate further on the application, weighing the potential benefits of Carmine's Pizza Kitchen against the regulatory implications of its outdoor gaming space. The outcome of this decision could shape the future of gaming licenses in Nevada, particularly for establishments that blend indoor and outdoor dining experiences.
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