Gold Strike Resorts

Not to be confused with Gold Strike Tunica.

Gold Strike Resorts

Company type	Private
Industry	Gaming & hospitality
Defunct	1995; 30 years ago (1995)
Fate	Acquired by Circus Circus Enterprises
Headquarters	Jean, Nevada, U.S.

Gold Strike Resorts was a family of gaming companies based in Jean, Nevada.[1]

History

The company's history can be traced to 1977, when David Belding, Michael Ensign, and William Richardson purchased the Gold Strike Hotel and Casino near Boulder City, Nevada. Belding and Richardson acquired their shareholdings from their fathers Don Belding,[2] and Jack Richardson, while Ensign bought out third owner O.L. Raney's shareholding. Ensign was the father of Senator John Ensign and had connections to competitor Circus Circus Enterprises.[3]

In 1994, Gold Strike announced a partnership with Mirage Resorts to build a $250-million casino targeted at budget-conscious visitors, on part of the site of the demolished Dunes golf course on the Las Vegas Strip.[4] It ultimately opened in 1996, following the merger, as the Monte Carlo.[5]

Gold Strike Resorts was acquired in 1995 by Circus Circus Enterprises for $450 million in cash and stock.[6] The acquisition did not include the original Gold Strike near Boulder City, because the owners wanted to pass it on to their children.[7]

List of properties

Gold Strike's properties at the time of its acquisition by Circus were:

• Gold Strike Hotel and Casino — Boulder City, Nevada
• Gold Strike Hotel and Gambling Hall — Jean, Nevada
• Grand Victoria Casino — Elgin, Illinois (50% ownership with Hyatt)
• Monte Carlo, Paradise, Nevada (50% owner in partnership with Mirage Resorts)
• Nevada Landing Hotel and Casino — Jean, Nevada
• Railroad Pass Hotel and Casino — Henderson, Nevada

Former properties

• Pioneer Club — Las Vegas, Nevada[8]

References

1. Jones, Kathryn (1995-03-21). "COMPANY NEWS; Circus Circus Agrees to Buy Gold Strike, Casino Owner". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-05-22.
2. "Gaming pioneer Mike Ensign, father of a former Nevada senator, dies at 79". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 2016-12-08. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
3. "LAS VEGAS RJ:NEWS: Casino's claim on area's history not forgotten". 2003-09-03. Archived from the original on 2003-09-03. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
4. Yoshihashi, Pauline (May 12, 1994). "Mirage, Gold Strike sign pact to build a low-roller casino on Las Vegas Strip". Wall Street Journal.  – via Factiva (subscription required)
5. Palermo, Dave. "Monte Carlo debuts". Las Vegas Review-Journal.  – via Factiva (subscription required)
6. "Circus Circus-Buy -2-: Ensign Named Vice Chmn, Oper Chief". Dow Jones News Service. June 1, 1995.  – via Factiva (subscription required)
7. Vogel, Ed (May 23, 1995). "Merger plan gets approval". Las Vegas Review-Journal.  – via Factiva (subscription required)
8. Vogel, Ed (December 18, 1992). "Pioneer Club owners will highlight Vegas Vic's appeal". Las Vegas Review-Journal.  – via Factiva (subscription required)