Then and now: Stateline casino changes

Barney’s in 1961.

Barney’s Casino opened at Stateline in spring 1961. It was operated by majority owners Barney O’Malia and Richard Chartrand.

The Nugget has a storied past in Lake Tahoe. Photos/Bill Kingman

Chartrand also had an early interest in what years later became John’s Tahoe Nugget at Stateline, which was locally popular for featuring seafood and prime rib. Chartrand died in an unsolved car bombing at Skyland in 1968. John’s Tahoe Nugget ultimately closed at the end of 1990.

Totally remodeled and under new ownership, today that building just north of the Douglas County Administrative Center houses restaurants, a UPS Store, and professional business offices.

A casino no longer exists at the site.

Barney’s became Bill’s Casino in 1987 under new ownership by Harrah’s Entertainment. The second floor contained a McDonald’s Restaurant, then a bit of a rarity for the fast food restaurant to be inside a casino.

The former Bill’s Casino.

Bill’s closed in January 2010, however, and the property was sold.

After long and extensive remodeling, the building today houses multiple businesses.

A slew of businesses fill the old Bill’s site.

— Bill Kingman