At casino opening, being somebody is not without perks, or drawbacks

By Mike Trask

Friday, Nov. 14, 2008 | 2 a.m.

Bob Borgersen couldn’t wait to check out the new casino in his neighborhood.

The VIP party wasn’t set to start until 6 p.m. At 5:37 p.m., he had driven the mile from his home in Sun City Aliante, parked his Buick Rainier and taken the elevator ride down to the casino, where he spied free food at Johnny Rockets.

If there was any disappointment for the 70-year-old — on a night when the $662 million Aliante Station opened — it was that the gaming would not begin for another four hours.

He would then, surely, add to his 2.5 million Station Casinos rewards points. He could not spend any tonight, though — not in the buffet, the restaurants or the bars — because everything was free for big men on campus like Borgersen.

Borgersen is more than just another gambler invited to the grand opening. He is, perhaps, the most popular resident in North Las Vegas, the high school quarterback who chats with the nerds, the jocks and the preps. He is omnipresent at City Council meetings and just about any official gathering in North Las Vegas.

And tonight everyone checks in with Bob.

He orders a diet soda and a glass of red wine for his wife, Vernie, as he talks with the fire chief. The library director says hello to Bob. And then a deputy police chief says hello, too. When he’s sampling a Capriotti’s sandwich, neighbors say hi.

Here’s why: It was seven years ago when Borgersen helped gather 5,500 signatures in favor of building the first casino north of the Las Vegas Beltway. (Aliante Station is owned in a partnership with the Greenspun family, which owns the Las Vegas Sun.) He said the tax base would be good for the city. The city agreed, and approval for the new casino was granted.

With the recession, this might seem a bad time for a casino to open.

But Borgersen, who moved to the valley 13 years ago, promises to be a good customer. The retired grocery store owner lives comfortably, owning several properties. He has some money in his wallet for video poker.

“I don’t drink, smoke, golf or bowl,” he says, scouting the perfect machine for his first bets in the neighborhood. He settles on a Quick Quads poker machine in the back of the High Limit room.

Soon, when the opening ceremonies are completed and the gaming machines are turned on, he’ll be able to play.

Vernie wants to check out some of the ballrooms and the pool. This could be the prefect place for their big 50th anniversary party next year.

The couple are slowed as they walk through the casino. A state assemblyman wants to chat with Bob. So does the manager of the casino. And you can’t slight (“Hi, Bob”) a city planning commissioner.

Vernie lovingly rolls her eyes when Bob stops again. Then there’s the mayor of North Las Vegas and the maintenance guy from the Sun City clubhouse. Hellos all around.

“He’s never going to be able to gamble here,” Vernie says. “He keeps running into people.”

But he does make it to his Quick Quads poker machine, sliding in a $100 bill at 10:29 p.m.

By 10:35 p.m. it is gone.

But Bob Borgersen doesn’t go home until 2:30 a.m. There are more people to talk to.