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Wikipedia

Circus Circus Las Vegas

January 09, 2023

Circus Circus Las Vegas is a hotel and casino located on the northern Las Vegas Strip in Winchester, Nevada.[1] It is owned and operated by Phil Ruffin. Circus Circus includes the largest permanent circus in the world. It features circus and trapeze acts, as well as carnival games, at its Carnival Midway. The resort also includes the Adventuredome, an indoor amusement park.

Circus Circus Las Vegas
Circus Circus Las Vegas in 2018
Location Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
Address 2880 South Las Vegas Boulevard
Opening dateOctober 18, 1968; 54 years ago (1968-10-18)
ThemeCircus
No. of rooms3,767
Total gaming space123,928 sq ft (11,513.3 m2)
Permanent showsCircus acts
Signature attractionsAdventuredome
Carnival Midway
Slots-A-Fun Casino
Splash Zone
Notable restaurantsAuntie Anne's
Circus Buffet
Dairy Queen
Einstein Bros. Bagels
Pick Up Stix
Popeyes
The Steak House
OwnerPhil Ruffin
ArchitectRissman and Rissman Associates
Renovated in1972, 1975, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1985–86, 1993, 1996–97, 2014, 2017, 2020–23
Coordinates36°08′13″N 115°09′48″W / 36.13694°N 115.16333°W / 36.13694; -115.16333Coordinates: 36°08′13″N 115°09′48″W / 36.13694°N 115.16333°W / 36.13694; -115.16333
Websitecircuscircus.com

Circus Circus was originally owned by Jay Sarno and Stanley Mallin. It opened without a hotel on October 18, 1968. It included a casino on its first floor, while a second floor contained carnival games for children. Circus Circus was the first family-oriented casino in Las Vegas. It struggled financially during its early years, in part because of its lack of a hotel. A 15-story tower, with 409 rooms, was added in 1972. Sarno and Mallin were subsequently investigated for tax code violations and alleged connections with organized crime.

In 1974, the casino was leased to Bill Bennett and William Pennington, taking over operations from Sarno and Mallin. The property thrived under its new management. Another 15-story tower was added in 1975, followed by an RV park in 1979. A year later, Circus Circus added a series of motel structures, increasing the total room count to 1,610. Bennett and Pennington eventually purchased Circus Circus in 1983, and added a 29-story tower in 1986. The amusement park was added in 1993, and a 35-story tower was completed three years later. The casino contains 123,928 sq ft (11,513.3 m2), while the hotel has 3,767 rooms. The Circus Circus property also includes the small Slots-A-Fun Casino, which Sarno opened in 1971.

The resort was owned through Circus Circus Enterprises, which was renamed Mandalay Resort Group in 1999. The resort was sold to MGM Mirage (later MGM Resorts International) in 2005. MGM intended to renovate and expand Circus Circus, but canceled such plans amid the Great Recession. Fifty years after its opening, Circus Circus remained popular among families. In 2019, MGM sold Circus Circus to Las Vegas casino owner Phil Ruffin. At the time, the resort included the only RV park on the Las Vegas Strip.

History

Circus Circus was originally owned by Jay Sarno and Stanley Mallin.[2][3] Explaining the casino's double name, Sarno said, "At first I planned a Roman circus motif, but changed my mind and decided to build a circus like we are all familiar with – instead of a Roman circus, it's a circus circus."[4] A circus-themed casino was a departure from Sarno's previous Las Vegas resort, the luxurious Caesars Palace.[5] Sarno called Circus Circus "the most exciting project of my life".[6]

Planning for Circus Circus was underway at the end of 1967, and the opening was initially planned for August 1, 1968.[7] The Nevada Gaming Control Board gave preliminary approval for Circus Circus,[8] but this was overturned by the Nevada Gaming Commission, which noted that Sarno's group had only 70 percent of the necessary funds to finance the project.[9] Approval was granted after a $1.1 million loan was provided by relatives of Kirk Kerkorian.[10][11]

Circus Circus was designed by the California firm of Rissman and Rissman Associates. The general contractor was R. C. Johnson and Associates, of Las Vegas.[12] Circus Circus was built on the Las Vegas Strip, across from the Riviera resort, on property next to the Westward Ho motel.[13] The opening was eventually delayed to October 1, 1968.[14] The Circus Circus owners had $4.2 million to cover the construction costs, and R. C. Johnson estimated the project to cost $3.9 million. However, work was sped up during the final month to get the casino opened sooner, resulting in a higher construction cost.[15] The casino included a circus tent structure, made of steel and concrete.[6] The tent-shaped roof reached 90 feet in the air, and was made of a plexiglass material which was painted white and hot pink.[16]

Opening and financial problems

The $15 million Circus Circus ultimately opened on the night of October 18, 1968.[17][18][19][20] An invitational costume party preceded the public opening.[16] The opening was attended by numerous government officials and film stars, as well as media from across the United States.[21] Nevada governor Paul Laxalt declared a "Circus Circus Premiere Week" to mark the opening.[22]

Circus Circus had 1,000 employees.[18] Sarno served as the casino's president, and held a 25-percent interest, while Jud McIntosh held 22 percent.[21] The two-story building included an indoor balcony that overlooked the casino floor.[19][23] Various high wire and trapeze acts took place over the casino,[23] but Sarno said that such acts would not distract the gamblers below.[18][19] The second floor included a midway with various carnival games for children.[23] Circus Circus was the first family-oriented casino in Las Vegas.[19] The casino featured pink elephants and costumed table dealers and cocktail waitresses. Monkeys were trained to pay out jackpot winnings,[18] and an elephant named Tanya roamed the casino. She was trained to pull slot machine handles and toss dice with her trunk.[24] According to some accounts, a short-lived publicity stunt involved baby elephants that were transported around the casino via an overhead tram, giving the illusion that they were flying.[2][25][26][24]

Circus Circus attracted 26,000 people within its first eight hours of opening.[16] However, it would struggle financially during its early years.[27][28][29] It was mocked and criticized by skeptics, who doubted the idea of a circus-themed casino.[30] Howard Hughes, who owned several Las Vegas casinos, believed that Circus Circus did not fit in with the upscale resorts on the Las Vegas Strip.[31] Mallin said Circus Circus was "ahead of its time" and acknowledged that it was not well received in its early years.[29]

By the end of 1968, Circus Circus owed more than $1 million in construction debt, which led to rumors about its finances. Casino management stated that it was performing satisfactorily, and that the debt was the result of certain construction work being disputed, due to concerns about whether such work was ever authorized.[15][32][33] Circus Circus alleged $271,000 in unauthorized construction work by R. C. Johnson. The Nevada Gaming Commission declined to issue a permanent gaming license to Circus Circus until its debt was paid off, giving the casino one month to do so.[34][35] In addition, Circus Circus charged a $1 admission fee, and the gaming commission determined on short notice that the casino had to pay $30,000 in taxes on the fees.[36][37] The casino filed a lawsuit against the state to oppose the tax.[38][39] The admission fee was one reason that Circus Circus struggled, and it was eventually dropped.[40]

The gaming commission granted several extensions, allowing the casino to continue operating on a temporary license.[41][28] In April 1969, the gaming commission voted to let the Circus Circus gaming license expire at the end of the month, after the discovery of secret loans that were made to the casino but not reported to the state.[28] Hours before the scheduled closure, the commission extended the license for another month. This came after Sarno resigned as president and put his ownership stake into a trust until it could be sold.[42][43] Mallin was chosen to serve as the new president.[44] A permanent gaming license was granted in May 1969,[45] and planning was underway for more than $500,000 in improvements.[46] In January 1970, the Nevada Gaming Commission approved Sarno to return as the operator of Circus Circus.[47][48]

The casino was unable to attract high rollers, due to its lack of a hotel.[49] In 1971, the Teamsters' Union pension fund provided a loan to Circus Circus to pay off debts and to add a hotel.[50][51] A 15-story tower opened in July 1972.[52] As part of the loan arrangement, the Chicago Outfit's enforcer, Anthony Spilotro (under the name of Tony Stuart), was granted a gift shop concession in the hotel. In addition to a government investigation into the organized-crime connections, Sarno and Mallin were also being investigated for tax code violations. The casino's financial problems also continued,[49][53][54][55] and Sarno began discussions to bring in a new casino operator.[56]

Ownership changes and later years

In April 1974, William Bennett and William Pennington were approved by the state as new operators of the casino.[57][58] They leased Circus Circus from Sarno and Mallin, who remained as landlords for several years.[59][60][61] Bennett and Pennington had been searching for a financially challenged Las Vegas casino that they could take over. They originally considered the Landmark, before settling on Circus Circus. Bennett was initially skeptical that a family friendly casino could succeed in Las Vegas.[62] However, he and Pennington quickly turned Circus Circus into a profitable venture. Under their management, the casino contained mostly slot machines, and did not cater to big gamblers. Although the casino was mocked for its theme, it had wide appeal among the middle-class demographic.[63][64][65] Various additions were made over the years, including an RV park in 1979, followed by motel structures the following year.[66]

Bennett said in 1981, "I don't believe kids and gambling mix. If I had to start over, I would not use this concept. We end up being babysitters for the town, which is fine, but we have a lot of problems because of all the kids around. We have more security wandering the floors than most hotels."[60] Bennett and Pennington operated the property through Circo Resorts, Inc,[67] which would later become Circus Circus Enterprises.[60] In their lease, they had an option to buy Circus Circus from Sarno, which they eventually did in 1983.[60][61] By that point, Circus Circus was one of the most successful casinos in the state.[68]

 
 
Circus Circus in the 2000s, with its 35-story West Tower seen in the center

A 29-story hotel tower was added in 1986,[69] followed by the Adventuredome amusement park in 1993. A 35-story tower was added during renovations in 1996, part of an effort to bring in new customers. Circus Circus officials also hoped to retain the resort's core demographic: young families and retirees searching for bargains.[70]

Circus Circus Enterprises was renamed as Mandalay Resort Group in 1999.[60] MGM Mirage (later MGM Resorts International) bought out Mandalay Resort Group in 2005.[71] The purchase included Circus Circus, which MGM planned to keep.[72] In 2007, the company planned to build a multibillion-dollar resort on newly acquired property north of Circus Circus, where the El Rancho Vegas once stood. The Circus Circus motel structures and RV park were to be demolished to accommodate the new project, and the remaining structures would be renovated and expanded.[71] However, MGM's plans were canceled due to the financial impact of the Great Recession.[73]

Out of 10 resorts on the Las Vegas Strip, Circus Circus was MGM's most popular property among Hispanic tourists.[74] Fifty years after its opening, Circus Circus remained popular among families, although the aging facility was in need of renovations, including new carpeting and exterior paint.[73] Circus Circus was the oldest Las Vegas property owned by MGM Resorts.[75] Although 50 years is a long lifespan for Las Vegas casinos,[76] the anniversary went uncelebrated.[75]

In 2019, MGM Resorts International sold Circus Circus to Phil Ruffin, owner of the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino, for $825 million.[77] Ruffin began a $30 million renovation project focusing on various parts of the resort. Work is scheduled to continue into 2023.[78][79]

Early on, Ruffin had planned to build a 2,000-seat theater in front of Circus Circus at a cost of $11 million.[80] He also intended to convert the RV park into a swimming pool complex with a wave machine, sand beaches and a lazy river ride.[80][81] As of 2022, these features have yet to be built.

Features

 
 
Circus Circus facilities in the 2010s

Circus Circus has 123,928 sq ft (11,513.3 m2) of casino space,[82] and 3,767 hotel rooms.[83][84][85] When it opened, the casino originally had 19 blackjack tables, two roulette wheels, eight crap tables, and 686 slot machines.[18]

The front exterior of the casino originally had various features which were eventually removed. A 306-foot-long fountain area marked the front,[6] and some of the fountains could shoot water four stories high, while illuminating the water in a series of colors.[86] Las Vegas artist Montyne was hired to sculpt several statues, which also stood in front of Circus Circus.[87][88] A carousel was also located in front of the casino.[89]

In its early years, Circus Circus included the Hippodrome showroom. It hosted the show Nudes in the Night, which at one point starred Babette Bardot.[90][91][92] In 1974, the Guinness Book of World Records named Circus Circus as the world's largest permanent circus,[93][94] a distinction that it continues to hold.[95]

Pink coloring is used throughout the resort.[30] Jo Harris was the original interior designer. She had previously designed Caesars Palace, and would later work with Sarno on other projects.[29][96] The 1972 hotel tower gave the casino 409 rooms.[52] Another 15-story tower was opened in April 1975, adding an additional 400 rooms,[93][94] and a convention hall.[97] The two original towers are connected, and are known as the Casino Tower.[98] In the 1970s, the hotel included a two-story Royal Suite, which was designed by Harris and included a balcony.[67] A wedding chapel, known as Chapel of the Fountain, also opened in 1975.[99]

 
Lucky the Clown neon sign

The Circus Circus carousel was removed in 1976, to make room for the resort's new roadside sign,[100] which stands 123 feet. The neon sign depicts a clown character known as Lucky. It was created by YESCO, and is one of the most-photographed signs in Las Vegas.[101][102][103] A sportsbook opened In September 1976, but closed seven months later, as management believed that the space could be better utilized through a different purpose.[104]

In 1977, there were plans for an expansion, which would include a parking garage.[105][106] The 1,000-space garage was completed in 1978, and the Circusland RV Park was added a year later. Circus Circus Manor, which opened in 1980, consists of five, three-story motel buildings with a total of 810 rooms. This brought the resort's overall total to 1,610 hotel rooms.[66]

A monorail, the Circus Sky Shuttle, was added in 1981.[66][107] It was the first automated transit system in the Las Vegas Valley. The track, located 18 feet above street level,[108] connected the main resort to the Circus Circus Manor rooms.[60][109] A $7 million renovation and expansion project was underway in 1982, expanding the casino and a video game arcade. A valet parking lot was added in front of the resort, replacing the fountains.[66]

 
The 29-story Skyrise Tower

Additional casino space and a second parking garage were added in 1985,[110][111] and construction was underway on the 29-story Circus Skyrise tower, which would add 1,188 rooms for a total of 2,793. It would also include more casino space and a sportsbook, as well as a third parking garage. The general contractor was Marnell Corrao Associates,[112][113][114] with Veldon Simpson as the architect. Groundbreaking for the tower took place on January 31, 1985. It was topped off on September 25, 1985,[69] and opened the following year,[109] on property that was previously occupied by the Savoy Motel.[115]

A $100 million renovation began in 1996. It included the December opening of the $60 million, 35-story West Tower.[116][70][83] The addition added about 1,000 rooms, for a total of approximately 3,700. The older rooms underwent refurbishment, and a retail area with 14 shops was opened in January 1997.[70] Operations of the monorail were ended around 2000, due to the high cost of maintaining its outdated equipment, although the track remains intact.[26]

 
Trapeze artists performing at Circus Circus in 2005

Most of Montyne's statues were disposed of in 2006, under MGM's ownership. The company stated that the statues were in a state of deterioration.[88] In 2012, Circus Circus introduced an exhibit dedicated to the work of animator Chuck Jones.[117][118]

The Circus Circus midway includes a video game arcade and carnival-type games.[119] It also features clown shows and trapeze acts several times a day.[120][121][122] Clowns also roam the rest of the resort to amuse visitors.[122] For decades, the midway featured a carousel that operated as a bar.[123][124][125][126]

The hotel rooms were renovated in 2014.[73] The RV park was also briefly closed and renovated; a portion of it was converted into additional space for MGM's Festival Grounds, leaving the RV park with 170 spaces.[83][127] It takes up 10 acres, and is the only RV park on the Las Vegas Strip.[73]

In 2017, Circus Circus added the Splash Zone water park for its hotel guests,[128][129] after several years of planning.[1] By 2022, the pool area had been enlarged as part of Ruffin's $30 million renovation project, which also made minor improvements to the property. This included a $10 million update of the resort's elevators, and a new paint job consisting of bright colors, emphasizing the property's circus theme. Interior work is scheduled for completion in 2023, to be followed by exterior renovations which include the faux circus tent structure at the property's entrance.[78][79]

Adventuredome

Main article: Adventuredome

The Adventuredome is a 5-acre (2.0 ha) indoor amusement park located within a large pink glass dome, which is connected to Circus Circus. It offers various rides and attractions, including the Canyon Blaster and El Loco roller coasters, as well as midway and arcade games.

Circus Circus added the amusement park in 1993, on property behind the resort. It was originally known as Grand Slam Canyon until 1997.[130]

Restaurants

Circus Circus includes a popular restaurant known as the Steak House, which has won several awards.[131][132][133] It opened in 1982,[134] replacing a spa area.[133] The two main restaurants in the 1990s were the Steak House and a buffet, although an Italian restaurant, Stivali, was added in 1997.[135] The buffet averaged approximately 13,000 diners per day.[136] Readers of the Las Vegas Review-Journal voted the buffet as Las Vegas' worst for seven straight years, starting in 2001.[137] In 2021, a portion of the buffet was replaced with a food court, which includes Dairy Queen, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Pick Up Stix, and Popeyes.[138]

Slots-A-Fun Casino

 
Slots-A-Fun logo

Slots-A-Fun Casino is a small casino located on the Circus Circus property. It operates in a separate building along the Las Vegas Strip, directly south of the Circus Circus east entrance.[98] It was opened in August 1971, by Circus Circus owner Jay Sarno.[139][140] In 1974, management of the casino was assumed by Ross W. Miller, a former Circus Circus executive (and father of eventual Nevada governor Bob Miller).[141][142][143] Miller was reported to be leasing the premises from the Teamsters Union,[141] which had provided some of the financing to develop Circus Circus.[144]

 
Slots-A-Fun northwest entrance, 2007

In 1975, gaming executive Carl Thomas bought into the casino as an equal partner with Miller, who died later that year.[142][143][145] In 1979, however, Thomas was exposed as being involved in casino skimming operations on behalf of the Kansas City mob. Two FBI informants claimed that the mob owned a secret interest in Slots-A-Fun through Allen Dorfman, though that claim was never substantiated.[146] Thomas's gaming licenses were revoked, and he was forced to sell his casino interests.[147]

Miller's estate and Thomas sold Slots-A-Fun to Circus Circus Hotels, Inc., a company owned by Bill Bennett and Bill Pennington, who were the operators of the Circus Circus casino. Their company later became known as Circus Circus Enterprises, and then Mandalay Resort Group.[148][149][150] In 1986, a woman accidentally crashed her car into the casino, injuring 14 people.[151]

MGM Mirage (later MGM Resorts International) bought Mandalay Resort Group in 2005, and acquired Slots-A-Fun as part of the purchase.[152] As of 2014, it was one of the last casinos to still offer coin-operated slot machines.[153] Phil Ruffin bought Circus Circus and Slots-A-Fun in 2019.[154] The casino is popular for its low-priced drinks and table games.[155]

In popular culture

In 1969, Circus Circus served as the location for an episode of The Ed Sullivan Show.[156][157] It also appears in the 1970 film The Grasshopper.[158][159]

In the 1971 journalistic novel Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, author Hunter S. Thompson wrote, "The Circus-Circus is what the whole hep world would be doing Saturday night if the Nazis had won the war. This is the sixth Reich. The ground floor is full of gambling tables, like all the other casinos . . . but the place is about four stories high, in the style of a circus tent, and all manner of strange County-Fair/Polish Carnival madness is going on up in this space." When the novel was adapted to film in 1998, the fictional "Bazooko Circus" was featured as a thinly veiled stand-in for Circus Circus,[126][160][161] which had refused permission for the filmmakers to shoot on their property.

The midway was featured in the 1971 James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever.[162] A year later, it appeared in an episode of Banacek titled "A Million the Hard Way".[163] Circus Circus made appearances in several other films of the 1970s, including Las Vegas Lady, Damnation Alley,[164] and Corvette Summer.[165] The 1999 film Baby Geniuses was partially shot at the Adventuredome, which stood in as the fictional Joyworld theme park.[166][167]

In the 2004 video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Circus Circus appears under the name Clown's Pocket.[168] A recreation of Circus Circus, called the Ringmaster, also appears in the 2014 racing video game The Crew, near the northern end of the Las Vegas Strip.

A robbery occurred at Circus Circus in 1993, when Heather Tallchief, a driver for an armored truck, drove away with $3 million, which was in the process of being distributed to ATMs. Tallchief carried out the robbery with the help of murderer Roberto Solis. They disappeared, but she eventually surrendered 12 years later.[169][170] The robbery is chronicled in an episode of the 2021 Netflix docuseries Heist.[171][172]

See also

References

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External links

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Circus Circus Las Vegas.

January 09, 2023
circus, circus, vegas, hotel, casino, located, northern, vegas, strip, winchester, nevada, owned, operated, phil, ruffin, circus, circus, includes, largest, permanent, circus, world, features, circus, trapeze, acts, well, carnival, games, carnival, midway, res. Circus Circus Las Vegas is a hotel and casino located on the northern Las Vegas Strip in Winchester Nevada 1 It is owned and operated by Phil Ruffin Circus Circus includes the largest permanent circus in the world It features circus and trapeze acts as well as carnival games at its Carnival Midway The resort also includes the Adventuredome an indoor amusement park Circus Circus Las VegasCircus Circus Las Vegas in 2018Show map of Las Vegas StripShow map of NevadaLocationWinchester Nevada U S Address2880 South Las Vegas BoulevardOpening dateOctober 18 1968 54 years ago 1968 10 18 ThemeCircusNo of rooms3 767Total gaming space123 928 sq ft 11 513 3 m2 Permanent showsCircus actsSignature attractionsAdventuredomeCarnival MidwaySlots A Fun CasinoSplash ZoneNotable restaurantsAuntie Anne sCircus BuffetDairy QueenEinstein Bros BagelsPick Up StixPopeyesThe Steak HouseOwnerPhil RuffinArchitectRissman and Rissman AssociatesRenovated in1972 1975 1980 1981 1982 1985 86 1993 1996 97 2014 2017 2020 23Coordinates36 08 13 N 115 09 48 W 36 13694 N 115 16333 W 36 13694 115 16333 Coordinates 36 08 13 N 115 09 48 W 36 13694 N 115 16333 W 36 13694 115 16333Websitecircuscircus wbr comCircus Circus was originally owned by Jay Sarno and Stanley Mallin It opened without a hotel on October 18 1968 It included a casino on its first floor while a second floor contained carnival games for children Circus Circus was the first family oriented casino in Las Vegas It struggled financially during its early years in part because of its lack of a hotel A 15 story tower with 409 rooms was added in 1972 Sarno and Mallin were subsequently investigated for tax code violations and alleged connections with organized crime In 1974 the casino was leased to Bill Bennett and William Pennington taking over operations from Sarno and Mallin The property thrived under its new management Another 15 story tower was added in 1975 followed by an RV park in 1979 A year later Circus Circus added a series of motel structures increasing the total room count to 1 610 Bennett and Pennington eventually purchased Circus Circus in 1983 and added a 29 story tower in 1986 The amusement park was added in 1993 and a 35 story tower was completed three years later The casino contains 123 928 sq ft 11 513 3 m2 while the hotel has 3 767 rooms The Circus Circus property also includes the small Slots A Fun Casino which Sarno opened in 1971 The resort was owned through Circus Circus Enterprises which was renamed Mandalay Resort Group in 1999 The resort was sold to MGM Mirage later MGM Resorts International in 2005 MGM intended to renovate and expand Circus Circus but canceled such plans amid the Great Recession Fifty years after its opening Circus Circus remained popular among families In 2019 MGM sold Circus Circus to Las Vegas casino owner Phil Ruffin At the time the resort included the only RV park on the Las Vegas Strip Contents 1 History 1 1 Opening and financial problems 1 2 Ownership changes and later years 2 Features 2 1 Adventuredome 2 2 Restaurants 2 3 Slots A Fun Casino 3 In popular culture 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksHistory EditCircus Circus was originally owned by Jay Sarno and Stanley Mallin 2 3 Explaining the casino s double name Sarno said At first I planned a Roman circus motif but changed my mind and decided to build a circus like we are all familiar with instead of a Roman circus it s a circus circus 4 A circus themed casino was a departure from Sarno s previous Las Vegas resort the luxurious Caesars Palace 5 Sarno called Circus Circus the most exciting project of my life 6 Planning for Circus Circus was underway at the end of 1967 and the opening was initially planned for August 1 1968 7 The Nevada Gaming Control Board gave preliminary approval for Circus Circus 8 but this was overturned by the Nevada Gaming Commission which noted that Sarno s group had only 70 percent of the necessary funds to finance the project 9 Approval was granted after a 1 1 million loan was provided by relatives of Kirk Kerkorian 10 11 Circus Circus was designed by the California firm of Rissman and Rissman Associates The general contractor was R C Johnson and Associates of Las Vegas 12 Circus Circus was built on the Las Vegas Strip across from the Riviera resort on property next to the Westward Ho motel 13 The opening was eventually delayed to October 1 1968 14 The Circus Circus owners had 4 2 million to cover the construction costs and R C Johnson estimated the project to cost 3 9 million However work was sped up during the final month to get the casino opened sooner resulting in a higher construction cost 15 The casino included a circus tent structure made of steel and concrete 6 The tent shaped roof reached 90 feet in the air and was made of a plexiglass material which was painted white and hot pink 16 Opening and financial problems Edit The 15 million Circus Circus ultimately opened on the night of October 18 1968 17 18 19 20 An invitational costume party preceded the public opening 16 The opening was attended by numerous government officials and film stars as well as media from across the United States 21 Nevada governor Paul Laxalt declared a Circus Circus Premiere Week to mark the opening 22 Circus Circus had 1 000 employees 18 Sarno served as the casino s president and held a 25 percent interest while Jud McIntosh held 22 percent 21 The two story building included an indoor balcony that overlooked the casino floor 19 23 Various high wire and trapeze acts took place over the casino 23 but Sarno said that such acts would not distract the gamblers below 18 19 The second floor included a midway with various carnival games for children 23 Circus Circus was the first family oriented casino in Las Vegas 19 The casino featured pink elephants and costumed table dealers and cocktail waitresses Monkeys were trained to pay out jackpot winnings 18 and an elephant named Tanya roamed the casino She was trained to pull slot machine handles and toss dice with her trunk 24 According to some accounts a short lived publicity stunt involved baby elephants that were transported around the casino via an overhead tram giving the illusion that they were flying 2 25 26 24 Circus Circus attracted 26 000 people within its first eight hours of opening 16 However it would struggle financially during its early years 27 28 29 It was mocked and criticized by skeptics who doubted the idea of a circus themed casino 30 Howard Hughes who owned several Las Vegas casinos believed that Circus Circus did not fit in with the upscale resorts on the Las Vegas Strip 31 Mallin said Circus Circus was ahead of its time and acknowledged that it was not well received in its early years 29 By the end of 1968 Circus Circus owed more than 1 million in construction debt which led to rumors about its finances Casino management stated that it was performing satisfactorily and that the debt was the result of certain construction work being disputed due to concerns about whether such work was ever authorized 15 32 33 Circus Circus alleged 271 000 in unauthorized construction work by R C Johnson The Nevada Gaming Commission declined to issue a permanent gaming license to Circus Circus until its debt was paid off giving the casino one month to do so 34 35 In addition Circus Circus charged a 1 admission fee and the gaming commission determined on short notice that the casino had to pay 30 000 in taxes on the fees 36 37 The casino filed a lawsuit against the state to oppose the tax 38 39 The admission fee was one reason that Circus Circus struggled and it was eventually dropped 40 The gaming commission granted several extensions allowing the casino to continue operating on a temporary license 41 28 In April 1969 the gaming commission voted to let the Circus Circus gaming license expire at the end of the month after the discovery of secret loans that were made to the casino but not reported to the state 28 Hours before the scheduled closure the commission extended the license for another month This came after Sarno resigned as president and put his ownership stake into a trust until it could be sold 42 43 Mallin was chosen to serve as the new president 44 A permanent gaming license was granted in May 1969 45 and planning was underway for more than 500 000 in improvements 46 In January 1970 the Nevada Gaming Commission approved Sarno to return as the operator of Circus Circus 47 48 The casino was unable to attract high rollers due to its lack of a hotel 49 In 1971 the Teamsters Union pension fund provided a loan to Circus Circus to pay off debts and to add a hotel 50 51 A 15 story tower opened in July 1972 52 As part of the loan arrangement the Chicago Outfit s enforcer Anthony Spilotro under the name of Tony Stuart was granted a gift shop concession in the hotel In addition to a government investigation into the organized crime connections Sarno and Mallin were also being investigated for tax code violations The casino s financial problems also continued 49 53 54 55 and Sarno began discussions to bring in a new casino operator 56 Ownership changes and later years Edit In April 1974 William Bennett and William Pennington were approved by the state as new operators of the casino 57 58 They leased Circus Circus from Sarno and Mallin who remained as landlords for several years 59 60 61 Bennett and Pennington had been searching for a financially challenged Las Vegas casino that they could take over They originally considered the Landmark before settling on Circus Circus Bennett was initially skeptical that a family friendly casino could succeed in Las Vegas 62 However he and Pennington quickly turned Circus Circus into a profitable venture Under their management the casino contained mostly slot machines and did not cater to big gamblers Although the casino was mocked for its theme it had wide appeal among the middle class demographic 63 64 65 Various additions were made over the years including an RV park in 1979 followed by motel structures the following year 66 Bennett said in 1981 I don t believe kids and gambling mix If I had to start over I would not use this concept We end up being babysitters for the town which is fine but we have a lot of problems because of all the kids around We have more security wandering the floors than most hotels 60 Bennett and Pennington operated the property through Circo Resorts Inc 67 which would later become Circus Circus Enterprises 60 In their lease they had an option to buy Circus Circus from Sarno which they eventually did in 1983 60 61 By that point Circus Circus was one of the most successful casinos in the state 68 Circus Circus in the 2000s with its 35 story West Tower seen in the center A 29 story hotel tower was added in 1986 69 followed by the Adventuredome amusement park in 1993 A 35 story tower was added during renovations in 1996 part of an effort to bring in new customers Circus Circus officials also hoped to retain the resort s core demographic young families and retirees searching for bargains 70 Circus Circus Enterprises was renamed as Mandalay Resort Group in 1999 60 MGM Mirage later MGM Resorts International bought out Mandalay Resort Group in 2005 71 The purchase included Circus Circus which MGM planned to keep 72 In 2007 the company planned to build a multibillion dollar resort on newly acquired property north of Circus Circus where the El Rancho Vegas once stood The Circus Circus motel structures and RV park were to be demolished to accommodate the new project and the remaining structures would be renovated and expanded 71 However MGM s plans were canceled due to the financial impact of the Great Recession 73 Out of 10 resorts on the Las Vegas Strip Circus Circus was MGM s most popular property among Hispanic tourists 74 Fifty years after its opening Circus Circus remained popular among families although the aging facility was in need of renovations including new carpeting and exterior paint 73 Circus Circus was the oldest Las Vegas property owned by MGM Resorts 75 Although 50 years is a long lifespan for Las Vegas casinos 76 the anniversary went uncelebrated 75 In 2019 MGM Resorts International sold Circus Circus to Phil Ruffin owner of the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino for 825 million 77 Ruffin began a 30 million renovation project focusing on various parts of the resort Work is scheduled to continue into 2023 78 79 Early on Ruffin had planned to build a 2 000 seat theater in front of Circus Circus at a cost of 11 million 80 He also intended to convert the RV park into a swimming pool complex with a wave machine sand beaches and a lazy river ride 80 81 As of 2022 these features have yet to be built Features Edit Circus Circus facilities in the 2010s Circus Circus has 123 928 sq ft 11 513 3 m2 of casino space 82 and 3 767 hotel rooms 83 84 85 When it opened the casino originally had 19 blackjack tables two roulette wheels eight crap tables and 686 slot machines 18 The front exterior of the casino originally had various features which were eventually removed A 306 foot long fountain area marked the front 6 and some of the fountains could shoot water four stories high while illuminating the water in a series of colors 86 Las Vegas artist Montyne was hired to sculpt several statues which also stood in front of Circus Circus 87 88 A carousel was also located in front of the casino 89 In its early years Circus Circus included the Hippodrome showroom It hosted the show Nudes in the Night which at one point starred Babette Bardot 90 91 92 In 1974 the Guinness Book of World Records named Circus Circus as the world s largest permanent circus 93 94 a distinction that it continues to hold 95 Pink coloring is used throughout the resort 30 Jo Harris was the original interior designer She had previously designed Caesars Palace and would later work with Sarno on other projects 29 96 The 1972 hotel tower gave the casino 409 rooms 52 Another 15 story tower was opened in April 1975 adding an additional 400 rooms 93 94 and a convention hall 97 The two original towers are connected and are known as the Casino Tower 98 In the 1970s the hotel included a two story Royal Suite which was designed by Harris and included a balcony 67 A wedding chapel known as Chapel of the Fountain also opened in 1975 99 Lucky the Clown neon sign The Circus Circus carousel was removed in 1976 to make room for the resort s new roadside sign 100 which stands 123 feet The neon sign depicts a clown character known as Lucky It was created by YESCO and is one of the most photographed signs in Las Vegas 101 102 103 A sportsbook opened In September 1976 but closed seven months later as management believed that the space could be better utilized through a different purpose 104 In 1977 there were plans for an expansion which would include a parking garage 105 106 The 1 000 space garage was completed in 1978 and the Circusland RV Park was added a year later Circus Circus Manor which opened in 1980 consists of five three story motel buildings with a total of 810 rooms This brought the resort s overall total to 1 610 hotel rooms 66 A monorail the Circus Sky Shuttle was added in 1981 66 107 It was the first automated transit system in the Las Vegas Valley The track located 18 feet above street level 108 connected the main resort to the Circus Circus Manor rooms 60 109 A 7 million renovation and expansion project was underway in 1982 expanding the casino and a video game arcade A valet parking lot was added in front of the resort replacing the fountains 66 The 29 story Skyrise Tower Additional casino space and a second parking garage were added in 1985 110 111 and construction was underway on the 29 story Circus Skyrise tower which would add 1 188 rooms for a total of 2 793 It would also include more casino space and a sportsbook as well as a third parking garage The general contractor was Marnell Corrao Associates 112 113 114 with Veldon Simpson as the architect Groundbreaking for the tower took place on January 31 1985 It was topped off on September 25 1985 69 and opened the following year 109 on property that was previously occupied by the Savoy Motel 115 A 100 million renovation began in 1996 It included the December opening of the 60 million 35 story West Tower 116 70 83 The addition added about 1 000 rooms for a total of approximately 3 700 The older rooms underwent refurbishment and a retail area with 14 shops was opened in January 1997 70 Operations of the monorail were ended around 2000 due to the high cost of maintaining its outdated equipment although the track remains intact 26 Trapeze artists performing at Circus Circus in 2005 Most of Montyne s statues were disposed of in 2006 under MGM s ownership The company stated that the statues were in a state of deterioration 88 In 2012 Circus Circus introduced an exhibit dedicated to the work of animator Chuck Jones 117 118 The Circus Circus midway includes a video game arcade and carnival type games 119 It also features clown shows and trapeze acts several times a day 120 121 122 Clowns also roam the rest of the resort to amuse visitors 122 For decades the midway featured a carousel that operated as a bar 123 124 125 126 The hotel rooms were renovated in 2014 73 The RV park was also briefly closed and renovated a portion of it was converted into additional space for MGM s Festival Grounds leaving the RV park with 170 spaces 83 127 It takes up 10 acres and is the only RV park on the Las Vegas Strip 73 In 2017 Circus Circus added the Splash Zone water park for its hotel guests 128 129 after several years of planning 1 By 2022 the pool area had been enlarged as part of Ruffin s 30 million renovation project which also made minor improvements to the property This included a 10 million update of the resort s elevators and a new paint job consisting of bright colors emphasizing the property s circus theme Interior work is scheduled for completion in 2023 to be followed by exterior renovations which include the faux circus tent structure at the property s entrance 78 79 Adventuredome Edit Main article Adventuredome The Adventuredome is a 5 acre 2 0 ha indoor amusement park located within a large pink glass dome which is connected to Circus Circus It offers various rides and attractions including the Canyon Blaster and El Loco roller coasters as well as midway and arcade games Circus Circus added the amusement park in 1993 on property behind the resort It was originally known as Grand Slam Canyon until 1997 130 Restaurants Edit Circus Circus includes a popular restaurant known as the Steak House which has won several awards 131 132 133 It opened in 1982 134 replacing a spa area 133 The two main restaurants in the 1990s were the Steak House and a buffet although an Italian restaurant Stivali was added in 1997 135 The buffet averaged approximately 13 000 diners per day 136 Readers of the Las Vegas Review Journal voted the buffet as Las Vegas worst for seven straight years starting in 2001 137 In 2021 a portion of the buffet was replaced with a food court which includes Dairy Queen Einstein Bros Bagels Pick Up Stix and Popeyes 138 Slots A Fun Casino Edit Slots A Fun logo Slots A Fun Casino is a small casino located on the Circus Circus property It operates in a separate building along the Las Vegas Strip directly south of the Circus Circus east entrance 98 It was opened in August 1971 by Circus Circus owner Jay Sarno 139 140 In 1974 management of the casino was assumed by Ross W Miller a former Circus Circus executive and father of eventual Nevada governor Bob Miller 141 142 143 Miller was reported to be leasing the premises from the Teamsters Union 141 which had provided some of the financing to develop Circus Circus 144 Slots A Fun northwest entrance 2007 In 1975 gaming executive Carl Thomas bought into the casino as an equal partner with Miller who died later that year 142 143 145 In 1979 however Thomas was exposed as being involved in casino skimming operations on behalf of the Kansas City mob Two FBI informants claimed that the mob owned a secret interest in Slots A Fun through Allen Dorfman though that claim was never substantiated 146 Thomas s gaming licenses were revoked and he was forced to sell his casino interests 147 Miller s estate and Thomas sold Slots A Fun to Circus Circus Hotels Inc a company owned by Bill Bennett and Bill Pennington who were the operators of the Circus Circus casino Their company later became known as Circus Circus Enterprises and then Mandalay Resort Group 148 149 150 In 1986 a woman accidentally crashed her car into the casino injuring 14 people 151 MGM Mirage later MGM Resorts International bought Mandalay Resort Group in 2005 and acquired Slots A Fun as part of the purchase 152 As of 2014 it was one of the last casinos to still offer coin operated slot machines 153 Phil Ruffin bought Circus Circus and Slots A Fun in 2019 154 The casino is popular for its low priced drinks and table games 155 In popular culture EditIn 1969 Circus Circus served as the location for an episode of The Ed Sullivan Show 156 157 It also appears in the 1970 film The Grasshopper 158 159 In the 1971 journalistic novel Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas author Hunter S Thompson wrote The Circus Circus is what the whole hep world would be doing Saturday night if the Nazis had won the war This is the sixth Reich The ground floor is full of gambling tables like all the other casinos but the place is about four stories high in the style of a circus tent and all manner of strange County Fair Polish Carnival madness is going on up in this space When the novel was adapted to film in 1998 the fictional Bazooko Circus was featured as a thinly veiled stand in for Circus Circus 126 160 161 which had refused permission for the filmmakers to shoot on their property The midway was featured in the 1971 James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever 162 A year later it appeared in an episode of Banacek titled A Million the Hard Way 163 Circus Circus made appearances in several other films of the 1970s including Las Vegas Lady Damnation Alley 164 and Corvette Summer 165 The 1999 film Baby Geniuses was partially shot at the Adventuredome which stood in as the fictional Joyworld theme park 166 167 In the 2004 video game Grand Theft Auto San Andreas Circus Circus appears under the name Clown s Pocket 168 A recreation of Circus Circus called the Ringmaster also appears in the 2014 racing video game The Crew near the northern end of the Las Vegas Strip A robbery occurred at Circus Circus in 1993 when Heather Tallchief a driver for an armored truck drove away with 3 million which was in the process of being distributed to ATMs Tallchief carried out the robbery with the help of murderer Roberto Solis They disappeared but she eventually surrendered 12 years later 169 170 The robbery is chronicled in an episode of the 2021 Netflix docuseries Heist 171 172 See also Edit Nevada portalCircus Circus Reno Circus Circus TunicaReferences Edit a b Sylvester Ron December 11 2012 MGM planning Strip water park at Circus Circus VegasInc Retrieved March 25 2021 a b Evans K J September 12 1999 Jay Sarno Las Vegas Review Journal Retrieved March 25 2021 Stutz Howard October 11 2019 Gaming Hall of Fame Mallin s induction honors the last of the great Las Vegas pioneers CDC Gaming Reports Retrieved March 25 2021 Las Vegas Scene Las Cruces Sun News November 21 1968 Retrieved March 15 2021 via Newspapers com Hawley Tom October 17 2018 The legacy of Circus Circus in Las Vegas KSNV Retrieved March 25 2021 a b c Real Acts Plus Games Under Big Top Of Circus Circus Las Vegas Sun August 25 1968 Retrieved March 15 2021 via NewspaperArchive com A Circus Circus Is Coming Los Angeles Times December 20 1967 Retrieved March 15 2021 via Newspapers com Disneyland like Gambling Hall Wins Approval Nevada State Journal January 25 1968 Retrieved March 15 2021 via Newspapers com Gaming Commission Delays License for Circus Circus Nevada State Journal United Press International January 31 1968 Retrieved March 15 2021 via Newspapers com New Gaming Resort OK d Press Telegram February 16 1968 Retrieved March 15 2021 via Newspapers com Gaming Board Gives Nod To Planners of Circus Circus Las Vegas Sun February 16 1968 Retrieved March 15 2021 via NewspaperArchive com Circus Circus Builder Contemplates LV Office Las Vegas Sun May 14 1968 Retrieved March 15 2021 via NewspaperArchive com New Vegas Fun Palace A Smasheroo Los Angeles Evening Citizen News October 21 1968 Retrieved March 15 2021 via Newspapers com Harrah s Reveals Line up for Fall Los Angeles Times September 12 1968 Retrieved March 15 2021 via Newspapers com a b Sarno Answers Charge Las Vegas Sun December 20 1968 Retrieved March 15 2021 via NewspaperArchive com a b c Circus Circus Opens on the Vegas Strip Los Angeles Times October 22 1968 Retrieved March 15 2021 via Newspapers com It s Gala Gala Bow For Circus Circus Valley Times October 16 1968 Retrieved March 15 2021 via Newspapers com a b c d e Circus Circus Casino Opens With Acts Above Gamblers Capital Journal United Press International October 19 1968 Retrieved March 15 2021 via Newspapers com a b c d Winston Frank October 19 1968 Circus Sets Record At LV Opening Las Vegas Sun Retrieved June 30 2020 DeSilva Kristen October 23 2015 Check out what Circus Circus looked like back in the day Las Vegas Review Journal Retrieved March 25 2021 a b Hyman Harold October 18 1968 15 Million Circus Circus Opens Tonight Las Vegas Sun Retrieved March 15 2021 Gov Laxalt Announces Circus Circus Week Las Vegas Sun October 14 1968 Retrieved March 15 2021 via NewspaperArchive com a b c Las Vegas Oakland Tribune October 22 1968 Retrieved March 15 2021 via Newspapers com a b Miller Bob 2013 Son of a Gambling Man My Journey from a Casino Family to the Governor s Mansion Macmillan pp 81 82 ISBN 978 0 312 59181 6 Retrieved March 25 2021 Leach Robin November 26 2010 Were there flying elephants at Circus Circus back in the day Las Vegas Sun Archived from the original on August 29 2011 a b Question of the Day Las Vegas Advisor October 15 2015 Retrieved March 25 2021 Circus Circus Now Operating In The Black Las Vegas Sun February 19 1969 pp 1 4 Retrieved March 15 2021 via NewspaperArchive com a b c Circus Circus Casino is Ordered to Shutdown Las Vegas Sun April 25 1969 pp 1 4 Retrieved March 15 2021 via NewspaperArchive com a b c Edwards John G June 7 2005 Interior designer Harris dead Las Vegas Review Journal Archived from the original on November 23 2005 a b 3 ring casino helps keep Circus Circus in the pink The Arizona Republic May 10 1987 Retrieved March 15 2021 via Newspapers com Drosnin Michael 2004 Citizen Hughes Broadway Books p 118 ISBN 978 0 7679 1934 0 Retrieved March 15 2021 Circus Circus Dispels Rumors Of Money Woes Las Vegas Sun December 21 1968 pp 1 4 Retrieved March 15 2021 via NewspaperArchive com Circus Circus Pledges to Pay 1 2 Million Hints Merger Reno Evening Gazette December 20 1968 Retrieved March 15 2021 via Newspapers com Construction Differences Las Vegas Sun December 26 1968 Retrieved March 15 2021 via NewspaperArchive com State Gaming Board Oversteps Powers Las Vegas Sun December 26 1968 Retrieved March 15 2021 via NewspaperArchive com State Wants Circus Circus To Pay Entertainment Tax Las Vegas Sun January 22 1969 Retrieved March 15 2021 via NewspaperArchive com Circus Circus Taxed 30 000 by State Gaming Board Reno Evening Gazette Associated Press January 22 1969 Retrieved March 15 2021 via Newspapers com Circus Circus Files Suit Protesting Cabaret Taxes Las Vegas Sun January 31 1969 Retrieved March 15 2021 via NewspaperArchive com Circus Circus Admission Tax Halted By Injunction Las Vegas Sun February 16 1969 Retrieved March 15 2021 via NewspaperArchive com Schumacher Geoff October 17 2018 After 50 years on the Las Vegas Strip Circus Circus still going strong Mob Museum Retrieved March 25 2021 Circus Gets Extension On License Las Vegas Sun February 21 1969 Retrieved March 15 2021 via NewspaperArchive com Sarno Resigns Circus Circus Stays Open Las Vegas Sun April 30 1969 pp 1 6 Retrieved March 15 2021 via NewspaperArchive com Circus Gets Board s Nod For Firm License Las Vegas Sun May 15 1969 pp 1 4 Retrieved March 15 2021 via NewspaperArchive com Circus Circus Elects President Reno Evening Gazette Associated Press May 3 1969 Retrieved March 25 2021 via Newspapers com Circus Circus Wins At Last Permanent License Approved Las Vegas Sun May 23 1969 Retrieved March 15 2021 via NewspaperArchive com Circus Circus Sets Building Program Las Vegas Sun June 9 1969 Retrieved March 15 2021 via NewspaperArchive com Sarno allowed to again run Circus Circus Reno Evening Gazette January 24 1970 Retrieved March 15 2021 via Newspapers com DA Slates Meet Over Sarno s Bid Las Vegas Sun January 26 1970 Retrieved March 15 2021 via NewspaperArchive com a b Super Casino by Pete Earley Bantam Books 2000 ISBN 0 553 09502 1 Teamster Loan to Bankroll Hotel OK d San Bernardino County Sun February 19 1971 Retrieved March 15 2021 via Newspapers com Circus Circus to build hotel Reno Evening Gazette Associated Press March 23 1971 Retrieved March 15 2021 via Newspapers com a b The Visiting Fireman Needles Desert Star July 27 1972 Retrieved March 15 2021 via Newspapers com State to probe Circus Circus casino sales program Reno Evening Gazette August 23 1974 Retrieved March 25 2021 via Newspapers com Casino officials accused of trying to bribe IRS Reno Evening Gazette Associated Press March 8 1974 Retrieved March 25 2021 via Newspapers com Casino office for mob Reno Evening Gazette Associated Press November 22 1975 Retrieved March 25 2021 via Newspapers com Circus Circus seeks loan from Teamsters Reno Evening Gazette Associated Press February 27 1974 Retrieved March 25 2021 via Newspapers com Gaming license changes filed Reno Evening Gazette Associated Press March 2 1974 Retrieved March 25 2021 via Newspapers com Large stock transfer to former Caesars Palace owners approved Reno Evening Gazette April 19 1974 Retrieved March 25 2021 via Newspapers com Sarno Due In Court Las Vegas Sun November 5 1975 Retrieved March 25 2021 via NewspaperArchive com a b c d e f Smith Hubble Smith Rod June 6 2004 Tale of two companies Las Vegas Review Journal Archived from the original on December 20 2004 a b Simpson Jeff December 24 2002 Casino pioneer Bennett 78 dies Sahara owner s properties catered to middle class Las Vegas Review Journal Archived from the original on March 8 2005 Partners make a mint out of Vegas losers The Fresno Bee November 8 1983 Retrieved March 25 2021 via Newspapers com Circus Circus A boat s name describes regatta activities The Courier Journal July 9 1979 Retrieved March 25 2021 via Newspapers com Smith John L December 24 2002 Bill Bennett thrived despite snickers snubs from Strip s power barons Las Vegas Review Journal Archived from the original on March 8 2005 Delaney Joe January 10 2002 More Strip suggestions in order for the new year Las Vegas Sun Retrieved March 25 2021 a b c d Circus Circus Expansion To Be Completed In May The Arizona Republic April 4 1982 Retrieved March 25 2021 via Newspapers com a b Angove Rod May 29 1975 What you want this suite s got Reno Evening Gazette Associated Press Retrieved March 25 2021 via Newspapers com Circus Circus caters to campers children Daily Breeze April 29 1984 Retrieved June 30 2020 via NewsLibrary a b Circus Circus Grows Needles Desert Star November 27 1985 Retrieved March 25 2021 via Newspapers com a b c Berns Dave March 31 1997 Big doings under the big top Las Vegas Review Journal Archived from the original on September 16 2000 a b MGM buys parcels for new center Las Vegas Review Journal April 19 2007 Retrieved March 25 2021 Smith Rod June 24 2004 Plans in mind for Circus Circus MGM Mirage wants to keep or redevelop property exec says Las Vegas Review Journal Archived from the original on December 9 2004 a b c d Prince Todd August 19 2018 Circus Circus on Las Vegas Strip still makes money after 50 years Las Vegas Review Journal Retrieved June 30 2020 Stutz Howard June 10 2015 Circus Circus is MGM s most popular property among Hispanics Las Vegas Review Journal Retrieved June 30 2020 a b Jones Jay October 18 2018 Guess whose 50th birthday won t be celebrated in Las Vegas Los Angeles Times Retrieved March 25 2021 Schwartz David G October 15 2018 The Clown That Saved Las Vegas Hits A Major Milestone Forbes Retrieved March 25 2021 Schulz Bailey December 20 2019 MGM Resorts completes 825M sale of Circus Circus to Ruffin Las Vegas Review Journal Retrieved 2019 12 20 a b Drewes Emerson June 3 2022 Circus Circus renovations intended to bring back some of the glory days Las Vegas Review Journal Retrieved June 4 2022 a b Cazares Christian May 27 2022 Circus Circus undergoing multimillion dollar renovations KLAS Retrieved June 4 2022 a b Velotta Richard N December 4 2019 TI owner Phil Ruffin talks more Circus Circus plans Las Vegas Review Journal Retrieved December 19 2019 New Circus Circus owner plans sandy pool complex theater for Cirque show VegasInc December 19 2019 Retrieved December 26 2019 Listing of Financial Statements Square Footage 2017 data Nevada Gaming Control Board March 6 2018 p 2 Retrieved March 25 2021 a b c Radke Brock October 8 2014 As the Strip changes around it rock solid Circus Circus stays steady Las Vegas Weekly Retrieved March 25 2021 World Class Record Breaking Roller Coaster Speeding to the Adventuredome at Circus Circus Las Vegas MGM Resorts February 7 2013 Retrieved March 25 2021 Schulz Bailey October 15 2019 Circus Circus sold for 825M MGM Resorts announces Las Vegas Review Journal Retrieved March 25 2021 15 Million Circus Circus Gets Blessing Of County Las Vegas Sun September 11 1968 pp 1 4 Retrieved March 15 2021 via NewspaperArchive com Circus Circus Hires Controversial Artist Las Vegas Sun October 7 1968 Retrieved March 15 2021 via NewspaperArchive com a b Hopkins A D October 15 2006 Buried Treasure Las Vegas Review Journal Archived from the original on November 15 2006 Circus Circus gets permit Reno Evening Gazette Associated Press August 16 1974 Retrieved March 25 2021 via Newspapers com Sensational Babette Bardot Stars in Circus Circus Show Las Vegas Sun October 29 1969 Retrieved March 25 2021 via NewspaperArchive com Nudes Star Extends Circus Circus Engagement Las Vegas Sun November 21 1969 Retrieved March 25 2021 via NewspaperArchive com Circus Circus Opens New Mini Burlesque Las Vegas Sun January 30 1970 Retrieved March 25 2021 via NewspaperArchive com a b Setting a record The Arizona Republic February 2 1975 Retrieved March 25 2021 via Newspapers com a b Under one big tent Star Phoenix April 17 1975 Retrieved March 25 2021 via Newspapers com Rykoff Mark Las Vegas Shooting it Like a Pro Circus Circus Arcade Time Retrieved March 25 2021 Harris creator of Caesars decor dies Las Vegas Sun June 8 2005 Retrieved March 25 2021 Circus Circus Opening Second 15 Story Tower Los Angeles Times April 27 1975 Retrieved March 25 2021 via Newspapers com a b Property map PDF Circus Circus Retrieved March 25 2021 News Las Vegas Sun July 2 1975 Retrieved March 25 2021 via NewspaperArchive com News Las Vegas Sun January 17 1976 Retrieved March 25 2021 via NewspaperArchive com Lights of Las Vegas Light Sky Las Vegas Sun July 17 1977 Retrieved March 25 2021 via NewspaperArchive com Excitement The Journal News November 29 1992 Retrieved March 25 2021 via Newspapers com Neon Survey University of Nevada Las Vegas Retrieved March 25 2021 Circus Circus Closes Sports Book Windows Las Vegas Sun April 1 1977 Retrieved March 25 2021 via NewspaperArchive com Circus Circus expansion denial no big setback Reno Evening Gazette Associated Press December 15 1977 Retrieved March 25 2021 via Newspapers com Motel demolished Reno Evening Gazette September 11 1978 Retrieved March 25 2021 via Newspapers com Circus Circus gets approval for monorail system Los Angeles Times June 29 1980 Retrieved March 25 2021 via Newspapers com Circus Sky Shuttle The Salt Lake Tribune June 7 1981 Retrieved March 25 2021 via Newspapers com a b Sky Shuttle in forefront of transportation Los Angeles Times June 22 1986 Retrieved March 25 2021 via Newspapers com Circus Circus Earnings Increase Needles Desert Star September 18 1985 Retrieved March 25 2021 via Newspapers com Circus Expansion improvement under way Los Angeles Times October 20 1985 Retrieved March 25 2021 via Newspapers com Skyrise to Set Records Arizona Daily Sun February 17 1985 Retrieved March 25 2021 via Newspapers com Circus Circus addition should be ready by March Los Angeles Times October 6 1985 Retrieved March 25 2021 via Newspapers com 59 million Expansion On Circus Circus Needles Desert Star November 25 1985 Retrieved March 25 2021 via Newspapers com Friess Steve March 11 2015 Unsolved Vegas mysteries From Savoy matchbooks to Tropicana tile the truth is out there Las Vegas Weekly Retrieved March 25 2021 Circus Circus plans expensive expansion The Napa Valley Register Associated Press December 17 1995 Retrieved March 25 2021 via Newspapers com Green Steve August 24 2011 Circus Circus to house Chuck Jones animation exhibit VegasInc Retrieved March 25 2021 Stutz Howard January 18 2012 Chuck Jones Experience to open at Circus Circus Las Vegas Review Journal Retrieved March 25 2021 Yenckel James T August 5 1984 Las Vegas at Play The Washington Post Retrieved March 25 2021 Sylvester Ron October 6 2012 The jugglers acrobats and slack wire walkers of Circus Circus Las Vegas Sun Retrieved March 25 2021 Sylvester Ron October 6 2012 Why some performers choose Circus Circus over Cirque du Soleil Las Vegas Sun Retrieved March 25 2021 a b Miyasato Kiko June 19 2015 Clowning around at Circus Circus Las Vegas Magazine Retrieved March 25 2021 Winfrey Lee November 3 1975 Mike Douglas Enters Las Vegas Escapes Intact The Philadelphia Inquirer Retrieved March 25 2021 via Newspapers com Friess Steve November 29 2004 Las Vegas 100 years in the making NBC Retrieved March 25 2021 Padgett Sonya July 19 2012 No booze but still plenty of spin at Circus Circus carousel Las Vegas Review Journal Retrieved March 25 2021 a b Radke Brock August 24 2017 A spin around Circus Circus the strangest venue on the Strip Las Vegas Weekly Retrieved March 25 2021 Stutz Howard October 3 2014 KOA pulling up stakes on Strip moving to Boulder Highway Las Vegas Review Journal Retrieved March 25 2021 Question of the Day Las Vegas Advisor May 12 2017 Retrieved March 25 2021 Splash Zone at Circus Circus guarantees summertime fun Casino City Times May 31 2017 Retrieved March 25 2021 Smith Hubble April 22 2001 Marketing Las Vegas Child s play Las Vegas Review Journal Archived from the original on December 25 2001 Eateries receive high marks at Circus Circus The Arizona Republic November 1 2003 Retrieved March 25 2021 via Newspapers com Power Dining Some of the best steaks in town are under the big top Las Vegas Business Press July 23 2004 Retrieved March 25 2021 via NewsLibrary a b Sylvester Ron June 26 2012 Hidden behind clowns and roller coasters is a Las Vegas steakhouse classic VegasInc Retrieved March 25 2021 GM Ron Randazzo s 27 years of memories at Circus Circus Steak House Las Vegas Weekly July 30 2012 Archived from the original on August 10 2012 Paskevich Michael March 7 1997 An Italian experience Las Vegas Review Journal Retrieved March 25 2021 Buffet your way through Las Vegas Deseret News January 9 2001 Retrieved March 25 2021 Grimes Stephanie September 5 2014 The 5 worst attractions in Las Vegas history Las Vegas Review Journal Retrieved March 25 2021 Retrieved December 23 2021 Martin Bradley November 10 2020 Another Buffet Permanently Closes on the Las Vegas Strip Eater Stapleton Susan May 28 2021 Circus Buffet Returns With Breakfast Brunch and Dinner Just in Time for Memorial Day Weekend Eater Platt Meghan November 3 2021 15K square foot Big Top Food Court open at Circus Circus KSNV Carter Stephanie November 5 2021 The Big Tent Food Court Brings Deliciously Unhealthy Fast Food to Circus Circus Eater Safeway slots a fun gain nods Las Vegas Review Journal August 6 1971 p 2 Free ride photo caption Las Vegas Review Journal August 20 1971 p 40 Little Torillo is the passenger aboard Tanya the elephant during grand opening festivities of Slots A Fun adjoining Circus Circus a b Gaming bar licenses approved Las Vegas Review Journal June 29 1974 p 9 Ross W Miller was approved to operate 150 slot machines and ten table games at the Slots A Fun Casino at 2880 Las Vegas Blvd South by the Clark County Liquor and Gaming Commission Friday Miller said he was leasing the premises from the Teamsters Union which owns the property and building and he had no connection with any operations of the nearby Circus Circus Hotel and Casino a b Funeral services slated for veteran hotel executive Las Vegas Review Journal May 27 1975 p 19 Miller relinquished the post in 1968 and bought into the Circus Circus Hotel later the same year After leaving the Circus Circus executive post in 1971 Miller became the principal owner of the Slots a Fun Casino on the Strip a b Black Book members dies as truck flips Las Vegas Review Journal November 6 1993 p 1B 2B Carl Thomas became a pit boss at the Riviera in 1961 and got to know Riviera owner Ross Miller the father of Gov Bob Miller Later Ross Miller and Thomas were equal partners in Slots A Fun casino David G Schwartz October 15 2018 The clown that saved Las Vegas hits a major milestone Forbes Retrieved 2019 08 18 Chicago gaming firm probed Las Vegas Review Journal March 13 1975 p 7 In other action the board recommended for approval the following non restricted licenses Ross W Miller for 47 5 percent and Carl W Thomas for 47 5 percent and William Barry for 5 percent in Slots A Fun in Las Vegas George Lardner Jr October 12 1982 FBI tapes crux of bribery case against Teamsters president Washington Post Retrieved 2019 08 18 Carl Thomas fined 50 000 Las Vegas Review Journal August 24 1979 p 3A Circus Circus given permission to buy Slots A Fun Las Vegas Review Journal October 19 1979 p 8A Hubble Smith Rod Smith June 6 2004 Tale of two companies Las Vegas Review Journal via NewsBank Licensing bid rejected Las Vegas Review Journal November 17 1978 p 5A Meanwhile the commission approved these items on its administrative agenda A corporate name change for Circo Resorts Inc operator of Circus Circus to Circus Circus Hotels Inc Car slams into Vegas casino 15 hurt Yuma Sun June 30 1986 Retrieved March 26 2021 via NewspaperArchive com Stutz Howard February 22 2005 Merger headed to regulators Las Vegas Review Journal Archived from the original on September 13 2005 Komenda Ed May 4 2014 Cha ching This is reel nostalgia Las Vegas Sun Retrieved March 26 2021 Horwath Bryan October 17 2019 Ruffin s first act as Circus Circus owner Renovating Slots A Fun VegasInc Retrieved March 26 2021 Martin Bradley October 21 2021 Low Roller Slots A Fun Is Getting a Daiquiri Bar and Adventuredome a 1 5 Million Food Court Eater Retrieved December 23 2021 TV Techs Arrive At Circus Circus Las Vegas Sun January 9 1969 Retrieved March 25 2021 via NewspaperArchive com Dateline Las Vegas Sun January 15 1969 Retrieved March 25 2021 via NewspaperArchive com Toole Michael T November 2 2006 Nevada Noir Las Vegas Weekly Retrieved March 25 2021 Townsend Rodgers Lissa July 1 2012 Vegas films Flip the script KNPR Retrieved March 25 2021 Cling Carol August 4 1997 Location work set to begin on Fear and Loathing Las Vegas Review Journal Archived from the original on September 18 2000 Carter Geoff May 18 1998 Know Fear Las Vegas Sun Retrieved March 25 2021 Lawrence Christopher November 4 2015 When James Bond came to Las Vegas Las Vegas Review Journal Retrieved March 25 2021 Question of the Day Las Vegas Advisor October 3 2013 Retrieved March 25 2021 Galbraith IV Stuart July 9 2011 Damnation Alley DVD Talk Retrieved March 25 2021 Corvette Summer 1978 American Film Institute Retrieved March 25 2021 ABC CBS and NBC have items on tap featuring Las Vegas Las Vegas Review Journal February 3 1997 Archived from the original on July 19 1997 Cling Carol July 23 1999 Time Travel Top releases reflect various visions of then and now Las Vegas Review Journal Archived from the original on May 6 2001 Stein Martin November 25 2004 Playing Las Vegas Las Vegas Weekly Archived from the original on November 30 2004 Morrison Keith October 21 2005 A fugitive turns herself in after 12 years NBC Retrieved February 25 2022 Ritter Ken September 15 2005 After 12 years fugitive surrenders in LV Las Vegas Sun Retrieved February 25 2022 The 7 Greatest Casino Heists in History How It All Ended casinoreviews net 10 January 2022 Archived from the original on 2022 01 10 Retrieved 24 February 2022 Feldman Dana 13 July 2021 Netflix Doc Series Heist Tells The Real Stories Behind 3 Crazy Headlines Forbes Retrieved 25 February 2022 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Circus Circus Las Vegas Official website Images from University of Nevada Las Vegas Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Circus Circus Las Vegas amp oldid 1091476210, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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