Hilton Eyeing Vegas Casino

Seeking to expand its presence on the famed Las Vegas Strip, Hilton Hotels Corp. has held preliminary negotiations to buy the Barbary Coast casino, a tiny gambling operation prized for its location at one of the gambling capital’s most prominent intersections.

Executives from Beverly Hills-based Hilton met a few weeks ago with Barbary Coast’s owners, Coast Resorts Inc. of Las Vegas, said Coast Resorts President Harlam Braaten.

Hilton would not confirm any discussions.

Barbary Coast sits between the giant Flamingo Hilton and across the street from Bally’s Las Vegas, which Hilton would end up owning as part of its recently announced agreement to buy Bally Entertainment Corp. in a $3-billion deal.