[5][6][7] That year, a man filed a complaint against Sparks Silver Club, alleging the casino denied paying him $10,000 after he won a keno game the previous October.

[11][12] In January 1980, Berge had tentative plans for a five-story, 200-room hotel to be built on a 0.89-acre site behind the casino, known then as Karl's Silver Club.

[14][15] The hotel was to be built in a terraced stair-step shape rising away from residential houses to avoid casting shadows on them.

[13][16] In September 1980, the city approved redesigned plans to build the hotel in a vertical and conventional shape, allowing for lower construction costs.

Walker Boudwin Construction Co. was the general contractor for the $3.5 million, contemporary style hotel, which would be four stories tall and include 130 rooms.

The hotel would allow Karl's Silver Club to expand its clientele, which primarily consisted of tour bus customers.

[17] In August 1981, the city council unanimously approved Berge's request to increase the hotel to six stories and 206 rooms.