Arizona Charlie's Boulder

The property began as a non-gaming hotel known as Sunrise Fountain Suites, opened in 1991.{{cite news |title=Sunrise Fountain Suites Grand Opening |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22sunrise%20fountain%20suite%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=May 1, 1991 |access-date=September 8, 2024 |url-access=subscription}} It was owned by Michael Mona Jr. and his wife Rhonda. In 1996, they added a 239-space RV park just north of the hotel. Two years later, they added a new structure with gaming space and various restaurants,{{cite news |title=Sunrise Casino seeks local employees |url=https://hendersonlibraries.sobeklibrary.com/HL00004801/00001/ |work=Henderson Home News |date=December 3, 1998 |access-date=September 8, 2024 |page=15}} A four-level parking garage was also built.{{cite news |title=Sunrise Suite begins community service |url=https://hendersonlibraries.sobeklibrary.com/HL00004775/00001/ |work=Henderson Home News |date=September 3, 1998 |access-date=September 8, 2024 |page=10}} The expansion was funded with a $30 million loan.{{cite news |title=Bankrupt casino in pact with bank |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1999/dec/22/bankrupt-casino-in-pact-with-bank/ |access-date=September 8, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=December 22, 1999}}

The Sunrise Suites casino featured a Mediterranean theme, and was scheduled to debut on December 27, 1998. However, the Monas withdrew their gaming license application two weeks before the opening, following scrutiny from the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Michael Mona had previously been associated with men who had links to organized crime,{{cite news |last=Vogel |first=Ed |title=LV casino withdraws application |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1998/Dec-10-Thu-1998/business/10208771.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=December 10, 1998 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000916084510/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1998/Dec-10-Thu-1998/business/10208771.html |archive-date=September 16, 2000}}{{cite news |last1=German |first1=Jeff |last2=Kanigher |first2=Steve |title=Attacks on Chanos were building |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2006/mar/16/attacks-on-chanos-were-building/ |access-date=September 8, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=March 16, 2006}}{{cite news |last=Vardi |first=Nathan |title=Inside The Pot Stock Bubble |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/nathanvardi/2014/03/26/high-times-inside-the-pot-stock-bubble/ |access-date=September 8, 2024 |work=Forbes |date=March 26, 2014}} and the board was also concerned about Mona's accounting practices.{{cite news |title=LV casino opening threatened by Gaming Board |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1998/dec/10/lv-casino-opening-threatened-by-gaming-board/ |access-date=September 9, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=December 10, 1998}} In March 1999, Sunrise Suites filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. While the casino had never opened, the hotel and RV park continued operations throughout the bankruptcy proceedings.{{cite news |last=Wilen |first=John |title=Sunrise Suites files for bankruptcy |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1999/mar/30/sunrise-suites-files-for-bankruptcy/ |access-date=September 8, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=March 30, 1999}}

In January 2000, Sunrise Suites was auctioned to businessman Carl Icahn,{{cite news |last=Strow |first=David |title=Icahn buys bankrupt Sunrise Suites, his third LV property |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2000/jan/27/icahn-buys-bankrupt-sunrise-suites-his-third-lv-pr/ |access-date=September 9, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=January 27, 2000}} who owned the original Arizona Charlie's hotel-casino in Las Vegas, west of Boulder Highway. Icahn planned to rename Sunrise Suites as Arizona Charlie's East, a sister property to the original location,{{cite news |last=Berns |first=Dave |title=Sun sets on Sunrise Suites as Icahn takes over |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/Mar-20-Mon-2000/business/13195016.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=March 20, 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010505183000/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/Mar-20-Mon-2000/business/13195016.html |archive-date=May 5, 2001}} which became Arizona Charlie's West. Icahn's $43 million bid included the RV park, and he spent another $12 million on improvements and equipment. Most of the original design elements were left in place, including chandeliers and ornate columns, making it among the higher-end properties on the Boulder Strip. This was also in contrast to the original, lower-end Arizona Charlie's. Like the original location, the new property would appeal to locals with cheap food and entertainment, as well as favorable gaming odds. Both featured a western theme. The casino opened on May 23, 2000, shortly after 9:00 p.m., with a fireworks show to mark the event.{{cite news |last=Strow |first=David |title=Icahn's new casino noted for both values, luxury |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2000/may/24/icahns-new-casino-noted-for-both-values-luxury/ |access-date=September 8, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=May 24, 2000}}{{cite news |last=Simpson |first=Jeff |title=Icahn opens new locals' casino-hotel |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/May-24-Wed-2000/business/13639711.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=May 24, 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010610004333/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/May-24-Wed-2000/business/13639711.html |archive-date=June 10, 2001}} It included an entertainment venue,{{cite news |title=The forgotten Strip |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2001/feb/01/the-forgotten-strip/ |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=February 1, 2001}} two restaurants, a buffet, and a food court with two outlets.{{cite news |title=Charlie's East ups competition on the Boulder Strip |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/Jun-02-Fri-2000/weekly/13679181.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=June 2, 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010505173502/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/Jun-02-Fri-2000/weekly/13679181.html |archive-date=May 5, 2001}}

Profits improved under Icahn's ownership.{{cite news |title=Icahn gains approval for Arizona Charlie's East |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2000/apr/06/icahn-gains-approval-for-arizona-charlies-east/ |access-date=September 7, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=April 6, 2000}} An expansion, adding a bingo hall and other casino space, began construction in 2001.{{cite news |last=Mikkelsen |first=Ginger |title=Arizona Charlie's East ready for expansion |url=http://www.viewnews.com/2001/VIEW-Jun-06-Wed-2001/East/16209051.html |work=View News |date=June 6, 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050122122811/http://www.viewnews.com/2001/VIEW-Jun-06-Wed-2001/East/16209051.html |archive-date=January 22, 2005}} The property was renamed Arizona Charlie's Boulder on January 1, 2003, while the original location became Arizona Charlie's Decatur.{{cite news |title=Arizona Charlie's modifies players club rules |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2002/Dec-20-Fri-2002/weekly/20302086.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=December 20, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050320030912/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2002/Dec-20-Fri-2002/weekly/20302086.html |archive-date=March 20, 2005 |quote=Oh yeah, one more change: as of Jan. 1, Arizona Charlie's East will be renamed Arizona Charlie's Boulder while Arizona Charlie's West becomes Arizona Charlie's Decatur.}} By 2004, ownership had been transferred to Icahn's new company, American Casino & Entertainment Properties (ACEP).{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Rod |title=Icahn casino reshuffle ending |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/May-26-Wed-2004/business/23961478.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=2004-05-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040528224605/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/May-26-Wed-2004/business/23961478.html |archive-date=2004-05-28}} An $8.3 million expansion took place in 2006, enlarging the front area to add more gaming space.Retrieved September 7, 2024:

• {{cite news |title=Arizona Charlie's on Boulder will expand |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Arizona%20Charlie%27s%20on%20Boulder%20will%20expand%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=LVRB |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 22, 2006 |url-access=subscription}}
• {{cite news |title=Arizona Charlie's Boulder undergoes expansion |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Arizona%20Charlie%27s%20Boulder%20undergoes%20expansion%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=LVBPL |work=Las Vegas Business Press |date=February 20, 2006 |url-access=subscription}}
• {{cite news |title=Arizona Charlie's Boulder completes expansion |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Arizona%20Charlie%27s%20Boulder%20completes%20expansion%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=LVBPL |work=Las Vegas Business Press |date=July 7, 2006 |url-access=subscription}}
• {{cite news |title=Arizona Charlie's Boulder shows off $8.3 million expansion |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Arizona%20Charlie%27s%20Boulder%20shows%20off%20%248.3%20million%20expansion%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=LVRB |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 14, 2006 |url-access=subscription}} In 2008,{{cite news |title=Sale of Stratosphere parent now complete |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/in-brief-2728/ |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 22, 2008}} Icahn sold ACEP and its properties to Whitehall Street Real Estate Funds, an affiliate of Goldman Sachs.{{cite news |title=Icahn sells Southern Nevada casinos |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/icahn-sells-southern-nevada-casinos/ |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=April 24, 2007}}{{cite news |title=A Goldman Sachs unit is buying 4 casinos from Carl Icahn |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/23/business/worldbusiness/23iht-icahn.4.5406280.html |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=April 23, 2007}} In October 2017, Golden Entertainment acquired Arizona Charlie's Boulder as part of its $850 million purchase of ACEP.{{cite news |last=Velotta |first=Richard N. |title=Golden closes on $850M deal for Stratosphere, 3 other casinos |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/golden-closes-on-850m-deal-for-stratosphere-3-other-casinos/ |access-date=September 7, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=October 23, 2017}}

Arizona Charlie's Boulder occupies {{convert|24|acre|abbr=on}}, including the RV park.{{cite news |last=Strow |first=David |title=Boulder Strip hotel-casino, RV park to be auctioned |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1999/nov/23/boulder-strip-hotel-casino-rv-park-to-be-auctioned/ |access-date=September 8, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=November 23, 1999}} It has a {{convert|47541|sqft|abbr=on}} casino,{{cite web|url=http://gaming.nv.gov/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=3428|title=Listing of Financial Statements Square Footage (2017 data)|date=March 6, 2018|publisher=Nevada Gaming Control Board|page=1|archive-date=June 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620232017/https://gaming.nv.gov/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=3428|url-status=dead}} and the hotel includes 300 rooms.{{cite web |title=Arizona Charlie's Boulder |url=https://www.timeout.com/las-vegas/hotels/arizona-charlies-boulder |website=Time Out |access-date=September 9, 2024 |date=March 27, 2014}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.arizonacharliesboulder.com/ Official website]

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{{Las Vegas casinos}}

{{Las Vegas hotels}}

{{Golden Entertainment}}

Category:2000 establishments in Nevada

Category:Casinos in the Las Vegas Valley

Category:Golden Entertainment

Category:Hotel buildings completed in 1991

Category:Hotels in Paradise, Nevada

Category:Casino hotels in the Las Vegas Valley