Isolation is not the preferred environment for Henderson casino owner Tim Brooks.
Brooks, owner of Emerald Island and the Rainbow Club in downtown Henderson, would much rather be telling a story and sharing a laugh with customers.
But in December, the 59-year-old Brooks tested positive for COVID-19, showing only mild symptoms.
He had to quarantine for a time in a spare bedroom at his Henderson home. That meant no contact with his wife, Jari, and the couple’s black Labrador, Jagger.
“Our dog would be scratching at the door to get in,” Brooks said. “My wife would leave a grilled cheese sandwich for me at the door. For me, it just felt like the flu — I never lost my sense of smell or taste. I was lucky because my doctor had it and was in the hospital for six weeks.”
He’s back in downtown Henderson doing what he loves — being around people.
During a recent weekday morning, Brooks was seen walking the floor of Emerald Island, talking with customers and helping a woman with a question about her loyalty club points. He co-owns the properties with twin brother, Mike Brooks.
The casino wasn’t jam-packed, but it was busy. Since Nevada casinos were allowed to reopen in June following a mandatory two-month-plus shutdown, business at Emerald Island has been steady, Brooks said.
“Business has exceeded our expectations since reopening,” Brooks said. “As downtown Henderson and the Water Street District grow, we’re going to grow right along with it.”
As part of their growth strategy, the Brooks brothers last year purchased the Rainbow Club Casino, which is just a short walk from Emerald Island.
They had plans for an Emerald Island renovation project last year, but the pandemic pushed that back.
The brothers got their start as casino owners in 2003 when they opened Emerald Island, which had previously been known as Pot o’ Gold Casino. They bought the property in 2001.
Combined, Emerald Island and Rainbow Club employ over 250 people.
Mike Brooks, who lives in California, handles much of the financial side for the casinos, leaving Tim to essentially be the face of the operation.
“I love interacting with our guests and our team every day,” Tim Brooks said. “At times, dealing with the public can be challenging, but the good far outweighs the bad. When I had COVID, I just wanted to get back to work. I love being a leader. I enjoy making a difference in people’s lives, as they do in mine.”
A Southern California native, Brooks got his start in the hospitality business at a restaurant in Redondo Beach, Calif., before moving on to work in the gaming industry in Reno for a number of casinos and then for a company called Gaming Ventures Corp.
Brooks and his wife, who have two grown children, moved to Henderson in 1998, making the growing city their long-term home.
He serves on the Henderson Chamber of Commerce’s executive board, and on the board of the Water Street District Business Association. He also serves on the board of directors for Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada.
Just as he’s embraced downtown Henderson, it seems the city has embraced him.
“Whatever Tim’s a part of, I want to be a part of, too,” said Scott Muelrath, president and CEO of the Henderson Chamber. “He has that type of personality. People want to be around him. That’s why they call him the Wolf of Water Street.”
Another word Muelrath used to describe Brooks — “genuine” — might best describe the casino owner. Brooks is known for greeting regular customers by name and is quick to share a laugh.
Brooks said that despite the pandemic, he remains “bullish” on downtown Henderson and sees a bright future for the area.
Lifeguard Arena, which will house operations for the minor league Henderson Silver Knights franchise, is now open downtown and the rebranded Pass Casino — formerly Eldorado Casino — is scheduled to open its doors under new owner Joe DeSimone in April.
In Brooks’ world, not even a would-be competitor like DeSimone is viewed as an adversary.
Brooks instead has taken the macro view about the pending opening of the former Eldorado property, which has remained closed since the mandatory casino shutdown period a year ago.
“Joe is a friend of mine,” Brooks said. “At the end of the day, The Pass is going to be a great benefit for Emerald Island and the Rainbow Club. More people coming downtown is good for everyone.”
When he’s not working, Brooks likes to follow his beloved Los Angeles Dodgers baseball club and watch or attend Vegas Golden Knights hockey games with his wife.
Whatever he’s doing, he’s likely to be doing it with a smile and sunny disposition.
“That seems to come naturally to me,” Brooks said. “I like people.”