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  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">UNITED
  STATES<br>
  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Washington,
  D.C. 20549</font></b></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">FORM 8-K</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">CURRENT
  REPORT</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Pursuant
  to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): </font><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">April&nbsp;30,
  2008</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="5" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">HERBST GAMING, INC.</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
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    <p align="center" style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Nevada</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="33%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:33.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">0-71044</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="33%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:33.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">88-0446145</font></b></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
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    <td width="33%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:33.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">(State or other jurisdiction</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="33%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:33.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">(Commission</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="33%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:33.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">(IRS Employer</font></p>
    </td>
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   <tr>
    <td width="33%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:33.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">of incorporation)</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="33%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:33.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">File Number)</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="33%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:33.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">Identification No.)</font></p>
    </td>
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  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <div align="center">
  
  <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
   <tr>
    <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:49.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">3440 West Russell Road, Las
    Vegas, NV</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:49.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">89118</font></b></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:49.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">(Address of principal executive offices)</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="49%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:49.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">(Zip Code)</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  </div>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">Registrant&#146;s telephone number,
  including area code<b>&nbsp;</b>: <b>(702) 889-7695</b></font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Not Applicable</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="color:black;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" color="black" face="Times New Roman" style="color:windowtext;font-size:10.0pt;">(Former name or former address, if changed since last
  report.)</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing
  is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant
  under any of the following provisions:</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .25in;text-autospace:none;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Written
  communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .25in;text-autospace:none;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Soliciting
  material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .25in;text-autospace:none;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pre-commencement
  communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
  240.14d-2(b))</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .25in;text-autospace:none;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pre-commencement
  communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
  240.13e-4(c))</font></p>
  
  <div style="border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 9.0pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
  
  <p style="border:none;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;padding:0in;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  
  </div>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>
  
  </div>
  <!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='',FILE='C:\JMS\rcheney\08-13347-1\task2912518\13347-1-ba.htm',USER='rcheney',CD='May  2 12:51 2008' -->
  
  
  <br clear="all" style="page-break-before:always;">
  
  
  <div>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 5.02&#160;
  Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors;
  Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangement of Certain Officers.</font></b></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">On April&nbsp;30, 2008, the
  Board of Directors of Herbst Gaming,&nbsp;Inc. (the &#147;Company&#148;) appointed Mr.&nbsp;Timothy
  P. Herbst as Chairman of the Board and Mr.&nbsp;Troy D. Herbst as Chief
  Executive Officer.&#160; In addition, Mr.&nbsp;Edward
  J. Herbst, who previously served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, was
  appointed by the Board of Directors as an Executive Vice President and will
  remain a Director of the Company.&#160; Mr.&nbsp;Edward
  J. Herbst is on a leave of absence from his officer duties for personal
  reasons.</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Mr.&nbsp;Timothy P. Herbst
  has served as Executive Vice President and a Director of the Company since its
  inception in 1987, and will continue to serve in these capacities.&#160; Mr.&nbsp;Troy D. Herbst has served as
  Executive Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer and a Director of the Company
  since its inception in 1987, and will continue to serve in these capacities.</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">We refer you to &#147;Certain
  Relationships and Related Transactions&#148; in the 2007 Form&nbsp;10-K for information
  regarding transactions between the Company and the Herbst family.</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2</font></p>
  
  <div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>
  
  </div>
  <!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='2',FILE='C:\JMS\rcheney\08-13347-1\task2912518\13347-1-ba.htm',USER='rcheney',CD='May  2 12:51 2008' -->
  
  
  <br clear="all" style="page-break-before:always;">
  
  
  <div>
  
  <p align="center" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SIGNATURES</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; Pursuant
  to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has
  duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto
  duly authorized.</font></p>
  
  <p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
   <tr>
    <td width="38%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:38.92%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="21%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:21.64%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">HERBST GAMING, INC.</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="39%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:39.44%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="38%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:38.92%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="21%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:21.64%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="39%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:39.44%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="38%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:38.92%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.36%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="18%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:18.28%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="39%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:39.44%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="38%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:38.92%;">
    <p style="margin:0in -4.5pt .0001pt 0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date: May&nbsp;2, 2008</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.36%;">
    <p style="margin:0in -4.5pt .0001pt 0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">By:</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="18%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:18.28%;">
    <p style="margin:0in -4.5pt .0001pt 0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/ Mary E. Higgins</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="39%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:39.44%;">
    <p style="margin:0in -4.5pt .0001pt 0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
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    <td width="38%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:38.92%;">
    <p style="margin:0in -4.5pt .0001pt 0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.36%;">
    <p style="margin:0in -4.5pt .0001pt 0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="18%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:18.28%;">
    <p style="margin:0in -4.5pt .0001pt 0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Mary E. Higgins</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="39%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:39.44%;">
    <p style="margin:0in -4.5pt .0001pt 0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
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    <td width="38%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:38.92%;">
    <p style="margin:0in -4.5pt .0001pt 0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.36%;">
    <p style="margin:0in -4.5pt .0001pt 0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="18%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:18.28%;">
    <p style="margin:0in -4.5pt .0001pt 0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Chief Financial Officer</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="39%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:39.44%;">
    <p style="margin:0in -4.5pt .0001pt 0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
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  </table>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">3</font></p>
  
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metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "HERBST GAMING INC", "cik": "0001160294", "assigned-sic": "7990", "irs-number": "880446145", "state-of-incorporation": "NV", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "333-71094", "film-number": "08798585"}, "business-address": {"street1": "3440 WEST RUSSELL ROAD", "city": "LAS VEGAS", "state": "NV", "zip": "89118", "phone": "7027404576"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "3440 WEST RUSSELL ROAD", "city": "LAS VEGAS", "state": "NV", "zip": "89118"}}
text: UNITED
  STATES
  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  Washington,
  D.C. 20549
  FORM 8-K
  CURRENT
  REPORT
  Pursuant
  to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
  April 30,
  2008
  HERBST GAMING, INC.
  (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  Nevada
  0-71044
  88-0446145
  (State or other jurisdiction
  (Commission
  (IRS Employer
  of incorporation)
  File Number)
  Identification No.)
  3440 West Russell Road, Las
    Vegas, NV
  89118
  (Address of principal executive offices)
  (Zip Code)
  Registrant's telephone number,
  including area code
  :
  (702) 889-7695
  Not Applicable
  (Former name or former address, if changed since last
  report.)
  Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing
  is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant
  under any of the following provisions:
  o
  Written
  communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
  o
  Soliciting
  material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
  o
  Pre-commencement
  communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
  240.14d-2(b))
  o
  Pre-commencement
  communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
  240.13e-4(c))
  Item 5.02 
  Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors;
  Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangement of Certain Officers.
  On April 30, 2008, the
  Board of Directors of Herbst Gaming, Inc. (the "Company") appointed Mr. Timothy
  P. Herbst as Chairman of the Board and Mr. Troy D. Herbst as Chief
  Executive Officer.  In addition, Mr. Edward
  J. Herbst, who previously served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, was
  appointed by the Board of Directors as an Executive Vice President and will
  remain a Director of the Company.  Mr. Edward
  J. Herbst is on a leave of absence from his officer duties for personal
  reasons.
  Mr. Timothy P. Herbst
  has served as Executive Vice President and a Director of the Company since its
  inception in 1987, and will continue to serve in these capacities.  Mr. Troy D. Herbst has served as
  Executive Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer and a Director of the Company
  since its inception in 1987, and will continue to serve in these capacities.
  We refer you to "Certain
  Relationships and Related Transactions" in the 2007 Form 10-K for information
  regarding transactions between the Company and the Herbst family.
  2
  SIGNATURES
  Pursuant
  to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has
  duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto
  duly authorized.
  HERBST GAMING, INC.
  Date: May 2, 2008
  By:
  /s/ Mary E. Higgins
  Mary E. Higgins
  Chief Financial Officer
  3