Circus Circus Las Vegas
Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox casino Circus Circus Las Vegas is a hotel and casino located on the northern Las Vegas Strip in Winchester, Nevada.<ref name=Sylvester/> 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 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 among the first family-oriented casinos 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 Template:Convert, 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.
HistoryEdit
Circus Circus was originally owned by Jay Sarno and Stanley Mallin.<ref name=Evans>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A circus-themed casino was a departure from Sarno's previous Las Vegas resort, the luxurious Caesars Palace.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Sarno called Circus Circus "the most exciting project of my life".<ref name=RealActs/>
Planning for Circus Circus was underway at the end of 1967, and the opening was initially planned for August 1, 1968.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Nevada Gaming Control Board gave preliminary approval for Circus Circus,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Approval was granted after a $1.1 million loan was provided by relatives of Kirk Kerkorian.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Circus Circus was built on the Las Vegas Strip, across from the Riviera resort, on property next to the Westward Ho motel.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The opening was eventually delayed to October 1, 1968.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name=Answers/> The casino included a circus tent structure, made of steel and concrete.<ref name=RealActs/> The tent-shaped roof reached 90 feet in the air, and was made of a plexiglass material which was painted white and hot pink.<ref name=Opens>Template:Cite news</ref>
Opening and financial problemsEdit
The $15 million Circus Circus ultimately opened on the night of October 18, 1968.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Capital/><ref name=Winston>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> An invitational costume party preceded the public opening.<ref name=Opens/> The opening was attended by numerous government officials and film stars, as well as media from across the United States.<ref name=Hyman>Template:Cite news</ref> Nevada governor Paul Laxalt declared a "Circus Circus Premiere Week" to mark the opening.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Circus Circus had 1,000 employees.<ref name=Capital/> Sarno served as the casino's president, and held a 25-percent interest, while Jud McIntosh held 22 percent.<ref name=Hyman/> The two-story building included an indoor balcony that overlooked the casino floor.<ref name=Winston/><ref name=OT/> Various high wire and trapeze acts took place over the casino,<ref name=OT/> but Sarno said that such acts would not distract the gamblers below.<ref name=Capital>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Winston/> The property also featured female shoeshiners in skimpy clothing. Sarno had wanted the trapeze artists and shoeshiners to be topless, an idea that was vetoed by the gaming commission. Other attractions in the casino, however, were allowed to feature topless women.<ref name=Wildest/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The second floor included a midway with various carnival games for children.<ref name=OT>Template:Cite news</ref> Circus Circus was among the first family-oriented casinos in Las Vegas, along with the Hacienda.<ref name=Wildest/>
The casino featured costumed table dealers and cocktail waitresses, as well as small, pink elephants that could be ridden. Several trained monkeys roamed the casino as well and interacted with guests, for instance by paying out jackpot winnings.<ref name=Capital/><ref name=Wildest/> In addition, an elephant named Tanya was trained to pull slot machine handles and toss dice with her trunk.<ref name=Miller/><ref name=Wildest/> 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.<ref name=Evans/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Tram/><ref name=Miller>Template:Cite book</ref> The property also included an all-you-can-eat dessert experience known as the Diet Buster.<ref name=Wildest/>
Circus Circus attracted 26,000 people within its first eight hours of opening.<ref name=Opens/> However, it would struggle financially during its early years.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Shutdown/><ref name=Edwards/> It was mocked and criticized by skeptics, who doubted the idea of a circus-themed casino.<ref name=Pink>Template:Cite news</ref> Gamblers were put off by the many distractions, including the trapeze artists and other performers.<ref name=Wildest/><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Mallin later said Circus Circus was "ahead of its time" and acknowledged that it was not well received in its early years.<ref name=Edwards>Template:Cite news</ref>
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.<ref name=Answers>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The casino filed a lawsuit against the state to oppose the tax.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The admission fee was one reason that Circus Circus struggled, and it was eventually dropped.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The gaming commission granted several extensions, allowing the casino to continue operating on a temporary license.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Shutdown/> 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.<ref name=Shutdown>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Mallin was chosen to serve as the new president.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A permanent gaming license was granted in May 1969,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and planning was underway for more than $500,000 in improvements.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In January 1970, the Nevada Gaming Commission approved Sarno to return as the operator of Circus Circus.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The casino was unable to attract high rollers, due to its lack of a hotel.<ref name=Super/> In 1971, the Teamsters' Union pension fund provided a loan to Circus Circus to pay off debts and to add a hotel.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A 15-story tower opened in July 1972.<ref name=Fireman>Template:Cite news</ref> 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,<ref name=Super>Super Casino by Pete Earley; Bantam Books 2000 Template:ISBN</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and Sarno began discussions to bring in a new casino operator.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Ownership changes and later yearsEdit
In April 1974, William Bennett and William Pennington were approved by the state as new operators of the casino.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> They leased Circus Circus from Sarno and Mallin, who remained as landlords for several years.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Smith/><ref name=Simpson>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Various additions were made over the years, including an RV park in 1979, followed by motel structures the next year.<ref name=Expansion82/>
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."<ref name=Smith>Template:Cite news</ref> Bennett and Pennington operated the property through Circo Resorts, Inc,<ref name=Suite/> which would later become Circus Circus Enterprises.<ref name=Smith/> In their lease, they had an option to buy Circus Circus from Sarno, which they eventually did in 1983.<ref name=Smith/><ref name=Simpson/> By that point, Circus Circus was one of the most successful casinos in the state.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Template:Multiple image A 29-story hotel tower was added in 1986,<ref name=Grows/> 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.<ref name=Big/>
Circus Circus Enterprises was renamed as Mandalay Resort Group in 1999.<ref name=Smith/> MGM Mirage (later MGM Resorts International) bought out Mandalay Resort Group in 2005,<ref name=Parcels/> and acquired Circus Circus as a result.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name=Parcels>Template:Cite news</ref> However, MGM's plans were canceled due to the financial impact of the Great Recession.<ref name=Prince/> The El Rancho land was later used as the site of MGM's Festival Grounds,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> which opened in 2015.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Out of 10 resorts on the Las Vegas Strip, Circus Circus was MGM's most popular property among Hispanic tourists.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name=Prince/> Circus Circus was the oldest Las Vegas property owned by MGM Resorts.<ref name=Guess/> Although 50 years is a long lifespan for Las Vegas casinos,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> the anniversary went uncelebrated.<ref name=Guess>Template:Cite news</ref>
In 2019, MGM Resorts International sold Circus Circus to Phil Ruffin, owner of the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino, for $825 million.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The sale included the Festival Grounds.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Like previous owners, Ruffin continued to operate Circus Circus as a budget property.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He began a $30 million renovation project focusing on various parts of the resort, with work extending into 2023.<ref name=Drewes>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Cazares>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=McCarver>Template:Cite news</ref>
Early on, Ruffin had planned to build a 2,000-seat theater in front of Circus Circus at a cost of $11 million.<ref name=Velotta>Template:Cite news</ref> He also intended to convert the RV park into a swimming pool complex with a wave machine, sand beaches and a lazy river ride.<ref name=Velotta/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> As of 2024, these features have yet to be built.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In January 2025, Ruffin stated that he was planning to sell Circus Circus in order to acquire another property on the Las Vegas Strip or elsewhere. Circus Circus and the Festival Grounds make up a total of 102 acres and could sell for up to $5 billion.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> If sold, a new luxury integrated resort could be built on the site. Other uses for the site could include Formula One-related developments or a film studio.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
FeaturesEdit
Template:Multiple image Circus Circus has Template:Convert of casino space,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and 3,767 hotel rooms.<ref name=Steady/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> When it opened, the casino originally had 19 blackjack tables, two roulette wheels, eight crap tables, and 686 slot machines.<ref name=Capital/>
The front exterior of the casino originally had various features which were eventually removed. A 306-foot-long fountain area marked the front,<ref name=RealActs>Template:Cite news</ref> and some of the fountains could shoot water four stories high, while illuminating the water in a series of colors.<ref name=Blessing>Template:Cite news</ref> Las Vegas artist Montyne was hired to sculpt several statues, which also stood in front of Circus Circus.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Hopkins>Template:Cite news</ref> A carousel was also located in front of the casino.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 1970, Sarno launched Tom Jones, a topless show based on the eponymous 1963 film. Other shows would include Naked But Nice, Nudes Delight, and Hot Pants Sexplosion.<ref name=Wildest>Template:Cite news</ref> The theater was soon walled off to public access and, as of 2024, has sat vacant for decades.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In 1974, the Guinness Book of World Records named Circus Circus as the world's largest permanent circus,<ref name=Record>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=BigTent/> a distinction that it continues to hold.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Pink coloring is used throughout the resort.<ref name=Pink/> Jo Harris was the original interior designer. She had previously designed Caesars Palace, and would later work with Sarno on other projects.<ref name=Edwards/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The 1972 hotel tower gave the casino 409 rooms.<ref name=Fireman/> Another 15-story tower was opened in April 1975, adding an additional 400 rooms,<ref name=Record/><ref name=BigTent>Template:Cite news</ref> and a convention hall.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The two original towers are connected, and are known as the Casino Tower.<ref name=Property>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In the 1970s, the hotel included a two-story Royal Suite, which was designed by Harris and included a balcony.<ref name=Suite>Template:Cite news</ref> A wedding chapel, known as Chapel of the Fountain, also opened in 1975.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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The Circus Circus carousel was removed in 1976, to make room for the resort's new roadside sign,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In 1977, there were plans for an expansion, which would include a parking garage.<ref name=Denial>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name=Expansion82>Template:Cite news</ref>
A monorail, the Circus Sky Shuttle, was added in 1981.<ref name=Expansion82/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It was the first automated transit system in the Las Vegas Valley. The track, located 18 feet above street level,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> connected the main resort to the Circus Circus Manor rooms.<ref name=Smith/><ref name=Forefront>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name=Expansion82/>
Additional casino space and a second parking garage were added in 1985,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> with Veldon Simpson as the architect. Groundbreaking for the tower took place on January 31, 1985. It was topped off on September 25, 1985,<ref name=Grows>Template:Cite news</ref> and opened the following year,<ref name=Forefront/> on property that was previously occupied by the Savoy Motel.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
A $100 million renovation began in 1996. It included the December opening of the $60 million, 35-story West Tower.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Big/><ref name=Steady>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name=Big>Template:Cite news</ref> Operations of the monorail were ended around 2000, due to the high cost of maintaining its outdated equipment, although the track remains intact.<ref name=Tram>Template:Cite news</ref>
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.<ref name=Hopkins/> In 2012, Circus Circus introduced an exhibit dedicated to the work of animator Chuck Jones.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The Circus Circus midway includes a video game arcade and carnival-type games.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It also features clown shows and trapeze acts several times a day.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Clowning/> Clowns also roam the rest of the resort to amuse visitors.<ref name=Clowning>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> For decades, the midway featured a carousel that operated as a bar.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Spin>Template:Cite news</ref>
The hotel rooms were renovated in 2014.<ref name=Prince>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name=Steady/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It takes up 10 acres, and is the only RV park on the Las Vegas Strip.<ref name=Prince/>
In 2017, Circus Circus added the Splash Zone water park for its hotel guests,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> after several years of planning.<ref name=Sylvester>Template:Cite news</ref> 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. The property's faux circus tent structure was also included in the renovation project.<ref name=Drewes/><ref name=Cazares/><ref name=McCarver/>
AdventuredomeEdit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} The Adventuredome is a Template:Convert 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
RestaurantsEdit
Circus Circus includes a popular restaurant known as the Steak House, which has won several awards.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Steak>Template:Cite news</ref> It opened in 1982,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> replacing a spa area.<ref name=Steak/> The two main restaurants in the 1990s were the Steak House and a buffet, although an Italian restaurant, Stivali, was added in 1997.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The buffet averaged approximately 13,000 diners per day.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Readers of the Las Vegas Review-Journal voted the buffet as Las Vegas' worst for seven straight years, starting in 2001.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Retrieved December 23, 2021:Template:Ubl</ref>
Slots-A-Fun CasinoEdit
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.<ref name=Property/> It was opened in August 1971, by Circus Circus owner Jay Sarno replacing a merry-go-round.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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).<ref name=lvrj19740629>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=lvrj19750527>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=lvrj19931106>Template:Cite news</ref> Miller was reported to be leasing the premises from the Teamsters Union,<ref name=lvrj19740629 /> which had provided some of the financing to develop Circus Circus.<ref name=schwartz>Template:Cite news</ref>
In 1975, gaming executive Carl Thomas bought into the casino as an equal partner with Miller, who died later that year.<ref name=lvrj19750527 /><ref name=lvrj19931106 /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Thomas's gaming licenses were revoked, and he was forced to sell his casino interests.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 1986, a woman accidentally crashed her car into the casino, injuring 14 people.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
MGM Mirage (later MGM Resorts International) bought Mandalay Resort Group in 2005, and acquired Slots-A-Fun as part of the purchase.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> As of 2014, it was one of the last casinos to still offer coin-operated slot machines.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Phil Ruffin bought Circus Circus and Slots-A-Fun in 2019.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The casino is popular for its low-priced drinks and table games.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In popular cultureEdit
In 1969, Circus Circus served as the location for an episode of The Ed Sullivan Show.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It also appears in the 1970 film The Grasshopper.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
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,<ref name=Spin/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> which had refused permission for the filmmakers to shoot on their property.
Circus Circus is a featured location in the 1971 James Bond film, Diamonds Are Forever, which includes key scenes filmed in the casino and midway. Sarno himself has a cameo in the film, and Tanya the elephant is shown doing her slot machine-playing trick.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A year later, Circus Circus appeared in an episode of Banacek titled "A Million the Hard Way".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It also made appearances in several other films of the 1970s, including Las Vegas Lady, Damnation Alley,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Corvette Summer.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The 1999 film Baby Geniuses was partially shot at the Adventuredome, which stood in as the fictional Joyworld theme park.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In the 2004 video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Circus Circus appears under the name Clown's Pocket.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The robbery is chronicled in an episode of the 2021 Netflix docuseries Heist.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
See alsoEdit
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
Template:Las Vegas casinos Template:Las Vegas hotels Template:Las Vegas skyscrapers Template:Las Vegas Strip