Gold Strike Resorts
{{distinguish|Gold Strike Tunica}}
{{Infobox company
|name=Gold Strike Resorts
|logo=
|former_name=
|type=Private
|fate=Acquired by Circus Circus Enterprises
|predecessor=
|successor=
|foundation=
|founders=
|defunct={{End date and age|1995}}
|industry=Gaming & hospitality
|owner=
|website=
}}
Gold Strike Resorts was a family of gaming companies based in Jean, Nevada.{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Kathryn |date=1995-03-21 |title=COMPANY NEWS; Circus Circus Agrees to Buy Gold Strike, Casino Owner |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/03/21/business/company-news-circus-circus-agrees-to-buy-gold-strike-casino-owner.html |access-date=2023-05-22 |issn=0362-4331}}
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,{{Cite web |date=2016-12-08 |title=Gaming pioneer Mike Ensign, father of a former Nevada senator, dies at 79 |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/gaming-pioneer-mike-ensign-father-of-a-former-nevada-senator-dies-at-79/ |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=Las Vegas Review-Journal |language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web |date=2003-09-03 |title=LAS VEGAS RJ:NEWS: Casino's claim on area's history not forgotten |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/1998/Jun-17-Wed-1998/news/7695175.html |access-date=2023-04-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030903130212/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/1998/Jun-17-Wed-1998/news/7695175.html |archive-date=2003-09-03 }}
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.{{cite news|title=Mirage, Gold Strike sign pact to build a low-roller casino on Las Vegas Strip|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|first=Pauline|last=Yoshihashi|date=May 12, 1994|url=http://global.factiva.com/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&an=j000000020011029dq5c00cib&cat=a&ep=ASE}} {{subscription required|via=Factiva}} It ultimately opened in 1996, following the merger, as the Monte Carlo.{{cite news|title=Monte Carlo debuts|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|first=Dave|last=Palermo|url=http://global.factiva.com/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&an=lvgs000020011014ds6l008pk&cat=a&ep=ASE}} {{subscription required|via=Factiva}}
Gold Strike Resorts was acquired in 1995 by Circus Circus Enterprises for $450 million in cash and stock.{{cite news|title=Circus Circus-Buy -2-: Ensign Named Vice Chmn, Oper Chief|newspaper=Dow Jones News Service|date=June 1, 1995|url=http://global.factiva.com/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&an=dj00000020011025dr61022ox&cat=a&ep=ASE}} {{subscription required|via=Factiva}} The acquisition did not include the original Gold Strike near Boulder City, because the owners wanted to pass it on to their children.{{cite news|title=Merger plan gets approval|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|first=Ed|last=Vogel|date=May 23, 1995|url=http://global.factiva.com/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&an=lvgs000020020430dr5n001ow&cat=a&ep=ASE}} {{subscription required|via=Factiva}}
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{{cite news|title=Pioneer Club owners will highlight Vegas Vic's appeal|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|first=Ed|last=Vogel|date=December 18, 1992|url=http://global.factiva.com/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&an=lvgs000020011108doci00lzp&cat=a&ep=ASE}} {{subscription required|via=Factiva}}