Circus Circus Las Vegas

Circus Circus is a 3,773-room hotel and casino located on 2880 South Las Vegas Boulevard on the Las Vegas Strip in Winchester, Nevada. The hotel, opening in 1968, is in the theme of a circus, with its famous big top casino, containing free circus acts. It is also known for the Adventuredome, an indoor theme park containing roller coasters, carnival games, and more. The resort is currently owned by MGM Resorts International and was originally owned by Jay Sarno and Stanley Mallin.

It is currently the last known Las Vegas Strip resort to contain an RV park and its own motel, Circus Circus Manor. It also owns the nearby Slots-A-Fun Casino and a wedding chapel named "Chapel of the Fountain."

## History

### **Concept and Construction**

Two years after Jay Sarno opened his famous Caesars Palace on August 5, 1966, he had another idea to build a new casino located near the hotel, this time in the style of a large circus tent, along with attractions that would make it a family-oriented casino.

## Opening

Circus Circus, costing $15 million, officially opened at 10 PM on October 18, 1968 as a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by Jay Sarno himself, alongside officials, TV and movie stars, and reporters from around the United States were met. At the time, the property only contained a casino. Inside the casino contained a total of 686 slot machines, nineteen blackjack tables, two roulette tables, and eight craps tables. Circus acts were situated above the pit, along with trapeze and high wire acts. In total, fourteen bars and restaurants were contained within the building. One thousand people were employeed, wearing colorfully costumed, circus-themed uniforms.

Instead of the usual neon marquee that would stand as other hotels' main signage, Circus Circus boasted a working merry-go-round containing neon signage and a readerboard. Fountains and statues of different animals and clowns were placed in front of the casino.

## Early Years

Because of Circus Circus only containing a casino, the place began having financial troubles, such as the lack of high rollers. This was backed by the fact that visitors were charged with an entrance fee at certain hours of the day at different costs, starting from fifty cents to one dollar.

## Ownership of Phil Ruffin

On October 15, 2019, MGM Resorts announced that Circus Circus would be sold to Phil Ruffin for $825 million. He was already known for previously owning the nearby Treasure Island and Trump International Las Vegas, meaning that this would be his second time owning both a hotel and a casino. The deal had closed by the end of the year. This was also just one of the many selling points that MGM had announced during the same year, alongside the Bellagio Las Vegas, Mandalay Bay, and the MGM Grand Las Vegas.

Ruffin has speculated that he might renovate the property some time in the future, such as adding a bingo room, or renovating it's hotel rooms.

Circus Circus temporarily closed at midnight on March 19, 2020 on the order of Nevada's governor, Steve Sisolak, due to concerns over the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak that had occurred earlier in the year. It was originally expected to open thirty days later on April 19, but was later extended.

## Additional Information

### **Social Media**

* ***Facebook:*** https://www.facebook.com/circuscircus
* ***Twitter:*** https://twitter.com/circusvegas
* ***Instagram:*** https://www.instagram.com/circusvegas/