Maverick Co-Founder Eric Persson Launches Buyback for Nevada Gaming Properties

Maverick Gaming co-founder Eric Persson is moving to buy back two Elko, Nevada, casinos out of bankruptcy, a deal he says will save 239 local casino jobs ahead of a Nov. 30 deadline.

The effort involves reacquiring the Maverick Casino Hotel and the Gold Country Inn and Casino from the lenders now controlling them, according to statements Persson made to the Las Vegas Review‑Journal on Thursday, Oct. 8.

The properties are owned by Maverick NV LLC, which is tied to the Chapter 11 case of RunItOneTime LLC—the Texas holding company formed as part of a transition services agreement Persson executed with lenders to retain his brand name.

Persson says his current company is not in that bankruptcy, and that he expects the purchase to close within three weeks.

“Everyone’s goal is to get these assets out of Chapter 11 as fast as possible,” he said.

The sale terms have not been disclosed. The casinos are being managed by RRC Gaming Management LLC, led by former Caesars Entertainment CEO Tony Rodio, while the bankruptcy continues.

Persson’s Nevada Track Record

Persson co‑founded Maverick Gaming with business partner Justin Beltram in December 2017, with the purchase of the Red Garter Hotel and Casino and the Wendover Nugget in West Wendover for a reported $43 million.

The Elko properties’ future became uncertain after Maverick NV LLC filed Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notices with the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation. WARN notices are federally required whenever employers with 100 or more full-time employees anticipate large-scale layoffs or closures.

The WARN notices stated that the casinos could close by Nov. 30, which would result in the layoffs of 198 employees at the Maverick Casino and 41 employees at Gold Country. The notices also said a change of owner or operator could prevent or delay the closures.

A Repeat Strategy

Persson executed a similar rescue strategy in Washington state, buying back eight former Maverick Gaming cardrooms out of lender proceedings to save approximately 850 jobs. Those properties include Great American Casino in Everett, All Star Casino in Silverdale, Casino Caribbean in Yakima, Crazy Moose Casino in Pasco, Coyote Bob’s Casino in Kennewick, as well as Chip’s Casino, Macau Casino, and Palace Casino in Lakewood.

Maverick Gaming expanded aggressively across Nevada and Colorado before facing liquidity pressures. In July 2025, holding company RunItOneTime LLC filed for Chapter 11 protection in the Southern District of Texas, listing liabilities between $100 million and $500 million.

Around the same time, the operator announced the closure of four Seattle-area cardrooms.