Gaming & hospitality06
The economics of the family resort
Bennett and Bill Pennington turned Circus Circus into the foundation of a casino company built around value, volume and the family visitor.
1960s–2000s · 4 chapters
Resort Revolution
Explore Bill Bennett’s profileGaming & hospitality07
Downtown’s bookmaker and host
Gaughan connects the independent sportsbook, the downtown casino and a family tradition of looking after customers across the betting spectrum.
1950s–2000s · 4 chapters
Founding Generation · Resort Revolution
Explore Jackie Gaughan’s profileGaming & hospitality08
The gambler’s casino
A Texas gambling operator whose Horseshoe made high-stakes play and poker central to downtown Las Vegas’s identity.
1940s–1980s · 4 chapters
Founding Generation
Explore Benny Binion’s profileGaming & hospitality22
Hospitality brands, downtown investment and public-company stakes
Fertitta’s Las Vegas story runs from Landry’s 2005 Golden Nugget acquisition and expansion to a later disclosed investment in Wynn Resorts.
2000s–2020s · 4 chapters
Next Generation · Contemporary Vegas
Explore Tilman Fertitta’s profileGaming & hospitality25
Downtown investment and the sports-centered resort
With his brother Greg, Stevens moved from acquiring downtown properties to developing Circa, placing sports viewing and betting at the center of the experience.
2000s–2020s · 4 chapters
Contemporary Vegas
Explore Derek Stevens’s profileGaming & hospitality27
The Station founder and the city’s local customers
The founder of Station Casinos helped make the people who lived and worked in Las Vegas a central casino audience. His sons carried that neighborhood business into a larger resort company.
1960s–1990s · 4 chapters
Resort Revolution · Next Generation
Explore Frank Fertitta Jr.’s profileGaming & hospitality28
Building Station Casinos across the valley
With his brother Lorenzo, Frank Fertitta III expanded the Station business started by their father into a network of resorts serving the growing Las Vegas valley.
1980s–2020s · 4 chapters
Next Generation · Contemporary Vegas
Explore Frank Fertitta III’s profileGaming & hospitality29
Station Casinos, investment and the growth of UFC
Alongside his brother Frank Fertitta III, Lorenzo shaped Station Casinos while building a separate sports-entertainment business through Zuffa, the company behind UFC.
1990s–2020s · 4 chapters
Next Generation · Contemporary Vegas
Explore Lorenzo Fertitta’s profileGaming & hospitality30
George Maloof Jr., the Fiesta and the making of the Palms
George Maloof Jr. led the family’s Las Vegas casino projects from the Fiesta to the Palms, pairing local-market experience with a resort known for nightlife, dining and entertainment.
1990s–2010s · 4 chapters
Next Generation
Explore The Maloof family’s profileGaming & hospitality31
A new generation at a historic downtown hotel
An El Cortez board member and executive who helped renew the property while preserving its downtown identity. She died in February 2026, aged 41.
2000s–2020s · 3 chapters
Next Generation · Contemporary Vegas
Explore Alex Epstein-Gudai’s profileGaming & hospitality32
Fifth Street Gaming and a new downtown audience
A casino executive whose work with Jeffrey Fine links neighborhood casinos, the Downtown Grand, esports and new hospitality audiences.
1990s–2020s · 4 chapters
Next Generation · Contemporary Vegas
Explore Seth Schorr’s profileGaming & hospitality33
Restaurants, local casinos and Fifth Street Gaming
A grandson of Hank and Barbara Greenspun whose own businesses span coffee shops, property development and local gaming.
2000s–2020s · 4 chapters
Next Generation · Contemporary Vegas
Explore Jeffrey Fine’s profileGaming & hospitality42
From the Barbary Coast to South Point
Jackie Gaughan’s son built a casino business of his own, moving from the Barbary Coast and Coast Casinos to South Point.
1960s–2020s · 3 chapters
Resort Revolution · Next Generation · Contemporary Vegas
Explore Michael Gaughan’s profileGaming & hospitality43
Continuity at the El Cortez
A longtime casino operator whose acquisition of the El Cortez continued the property’s connection to the Jackie Gaughan era.
1960s–2020s · 3 chapters
Resort Revolution · Next Generation · Contemporary Vegas
Explore Kenny Epstein’s profileGaming & hospitality44
A younger generation at the Plaza
A downtown casino executive whose career connects the Plaza’s reinvention with the newer digital-gaming industry.
2000s–2020s · 3 chapters
Contemporary Vegas
Explore Jonathan Jossel’s profileGaming & hospitality98
An owner and operator on the Strip
A casino owner and manager whose career linked the Silver Slipper, Holiday Casino and the growth of UNLV.
1960s–1990s · 2 chapters
Resort Revolution · Next Generation
Explore Claudine Williams’s profileGaming & hospitality100
Leadership at the Hacienda
A Hacienda owner whose casino leadership and philanthropy became part of the city’s mid-century history.
1950s–1970s · 2 chapters
Founding Generation · Resort Revolution
Explore Judy Bayley’s profileGaming & hospitality101
A downtown casino executive
An executive who led the Four Queens and helped shape downtown’s casino business.
1970s–1990s · 2 chapters
Resort Revolution · Next Generation
Explore Jeanne Hood’s profileGaming & hospitality102
The next generation of gaming management
A Paragon Gaming co-founder and philanthropist who developed her own career after growing up around the casino business.
1980s–2020s · 2 chapters
Next Generation · Contemporary Vegas
Explore Diana Bennett’s profileGaming & hospitality105
A Black gaming pioneer and preservation advocate
A licensed gaming entrepreneur whose later Las Vegas work included civil rights and preservation of the Moulin Rouge.
1950s–1990s · 2 chapters
Founding Generation · Resort Revolution · Next Generation
Explore Sarann Knight-Preddy’s profileGaming & hospitality111
A downtown casino owner from Detroit
An entrepreneur whose Majestic Star business acquired Fitzgeralds and operated the downtown casino during the 2000s.
2000s–2010s · 2 chapters
Next Generation · Contemporary Vegas
Explore Don Barden’s profileGaming & hospitality130
Operating leadership from Mirage to Wynn
A longtime casino executive whose career connects Steve Wynn’s Mirage Resorts and Wynn Resorts eras.
1980s–2010s · 2 chapters
Next Generation · Contemporary Vegas
Explore Marc Schorr’s profileGaming & hospitality131
MGM management and the Tropicana investment
An executive and investor whose Las Vegas career spans MGM and the Tropicana.
1990s–2020s · 2 chapters
Next Generation · Contemporary Vegas
Explore Alex Yemenidjian’s profileGaming & hospitality132
MGM’s transformation into a resort group
A major figure in the growth and corporate culture of modern Las Vegas casino companies.
1970s–2010s · 2 chapters
Resort Revolution · Next Generation
Explore Terry Lanni’s profileGaming & hospitality133
CEO and President · MGM Resorts
Bill Hornbuckle’s documented role in the Las Vegas resort industry.
Contemporary leadership · checked October 2026 · 2 chapters
Contemporary Vegas
Explore Bill Hornbuckle’s profileGaming & hospitality134
Chief Operating Officer · MGM Resorts
Ayesha Molino’s documented role in the Las Vegas resort industry.
Contemporary leadership · checked October 2026 · 2 chapters
Contemporary Vegas
Explore Ayesha Molino’s profileGaming & hospitality135
President and COO · MGM luxury resort portfolio
Sean Lanni’s documented role in the Las Vegas resort industry.
Contemporary leadership · checked October 2026 · 2 chapters
Contemporary Vegas
Explore Sean Lanni’s profileGaming & hospitality136
President and COO · MGM resort portfolio
Mike Neubecker’s documented role in the Las Vegas resort industry.
Contemporary leadership · checked October 2026 · 2 chapters
Contemporary Vegas
Explore Mike Neubecker’s profileGaming & hospitality137
Chief Executive Officer · Wynn Resorts
Craig Billings’s documented role in the Las Vegas resort industry.
Contemporary leadership · checked October 2026 · 2 chapters
Contemporary Vegas
Explore Craig Billings’s profileGaming & hospitality138
Chief Operating Officer, North America · Wynn Resorts
Brian Gullbrants’s documented role in the Las Vegas resort industry.
Contemporary leadership · checked October 2026 · 2 chapters
Contemporary Vegas
Explore Brian Gullbrants’s profileGaming & hospitality139
Chief Executive Officer · Caesars Entertainment
Tom Reeg’s documented role in the Las Vegas resort industry.
Contemporary leadership · checked October 2026 · 2 chapters
Contemporary Vegas
Explore Tom Reeg’s profileGaming & hospitality140
President and Chief Operating Officer · Caesars Entertainment
Anthony Carano’s documented role in the Las Vegas resort industry.
Contemporary leadership · checked October 2026 · 2 chapters
Contemporary Vegas
Explore Anthony Carano’s profileGaming & hospitality141
Chief Commercial Officer and Regional President, Las Vegas · Caesars
Sean McBurney’s documented role in the Las Vegas resort industry.
Contemporary leadership · checked October 2026 · 2 chapters
Contemporary Vegas
Explore Sean McBurney’s profileGaming & hospitality142
President and Chief Executive Officer · Boyd Gaming
Keith Smith’s documented role in the Las Vegas resort industry.
Contemporary leadership · checked October 2026 · 2 chapters
Contemporary Vegas
Explore Keith Smith’s profileGaming & hospitality143
President and Chief Executive Officer · The Venetian Resort
Patrick Nichols’s documented role in the Las Vegas resort industry.
Contemporary leadership · checked October 2026 · 2 chapters
Contemporary Vegas
Explore Patrick Nichols’s profileGaming & hospitality144
President and Chief Financial Officer · Resorts World Las Vegas
Carlos Castro’s documented role in the Las Vegas resort industry.
Contemporary leadership · checked October 2026 · 2 chapters
Contemporary Vegas
Explore Carlos Castro’s profileGaming & hospitality145
President · Fontainebleau Las Vegas
Maurice Wooden’s documented role in the Las Vegas resort industry.
Contemporary leadership · checked October 2026 · 2 chapters
Contemporary Vegas
Explore Maurice Wooden’s profileGaming & hospitality146
Owner and Chairman · Golden Entertainment
Blake Sartini’s documented role in the Las Vegas resort industry.
Contemporary leadership · checked October 2026 · 2 chapters
Contemporary Vegas
Explore Blake Sartini’s profileGaming & hospitality147
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer · Golden Entertainment
Blake Sartini II’s documented role in the Las Vegas resort industry.
Contemporary leadership · checked October 2026 · 2 chapters
Contemporary Vegas
Explore Blake Sartini II’s profileGaming & hospitality148
General Manager · Palms Casino Resort
Kevin Glass’s documented role in the Las Vegas resort industry.
Contemporary leadership · checked October 2026 · 2 chapters
Contemporary Vegas
Explore Kevin Glass’s profileGaming & hospitality149
General Manager · South Point
Ryan Growney’s documented role in the Las Vegas resort industry.
Contemporary leadership · checked October 2026 · 2 chapters
Contemporary Vegas
Explore Ryan Growney’s profileGaming & hospitality150
General Manager · SAHARA Las Vegas
Paul Hobson’s documented role in the Las Vegas resort industry.
Contemporary leadership · checked October 2026 · 2 chapters
Contemporary Vegas
Explore Paul Hobson’s profileGaming & hospitality151
Chairman · Dreamscape Companies
Eric Birnbaum’s documented role in the Las Vegas resort industry.
Contemporary leadership · checked October 2026 · 2 chapters
Contemporary Vegas
Explore Eric Birnbaum’s profileGaming & hospitality152
President and Chief Executive Officer · Rio
Patrick Miller’s documented role in the Las Vegas resort industry.
Contemporary leadership · checked October 2026 · 2 chapters
Contemporary Vegas
Explore Patrick Miller’s profileGaming & hospitality153
President · Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
Lia Rispoli’s documented role in the Las Vegas resort industry.
Contemporary leadership · checked October 2026 · 2 chapters
Contemporary Vegas
Explore Lia Rispoli’s profileGaming & hospitality154
Chief Executive Officer and President · PENN Entertainment
Jay Snowden’s documented role in the Las Vegas resort industry.
Contemporary leadership · checked October 2026 · 2 chapters
Contemporary Vegas
Explore Jay Snowden’s profileGaming & hospitality155
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer · Red Rock Resorts
Kord Nichols’s documented role in the Las Vegas resort industry.
Contemporary leadership · checked October 2026 · 2 chapters
Contemporary Vegas
Explore Kord Nichols’s profileGaming & hospitality156
Chairman · Hard Rock International; CEO · Seminole Gaming
Jim Allen’s documented role in the Las Vegas resort industry.
Contemporary leadership · checked October 2026 · 2 chapters
Contemporary Vegas
Explore Jim Allen’s profileGaming & hospitality157
Senior Vice President and General Manager · Hard Rock Las Vegas
Justin Wyborn’s documented role in the Las Vegas resort industry.
Contemporary leadership · checked October 2026 · 2 chapters
Contemporary Vegas
Explore Justin Wyborn’s profileGaming & hospitality162
Downtown resort ownership with Derek Stevens
Derek Stevens's brother and business partner in the ownership and redevelopment of several downtown Las Vegas properties.
2000s–2020s · 2 chapters
Contemporary Vegas
Explore Greg Stevens’s profileGaming & hospitality163
President and Chief Financial Officer · Golden Entertainment
The president and financial executive in Golden’s leadership team.
Contemporary leadership · checked October 2026 · 1 chapters
Contemporary Vegas
Explore Charles Protell’s profileGaming & hospitality178
From the Frontier to Treasure Island and Circus Circus
An independent owner whose Strip history links the Elardi family, a billion-dollar land sale and two major purchases from MGM.
1990s–2020s · 5 chapters
Next Generation · Contemporary Vegas
Explore Phil Ruffin’s profileGaming & hospitality179
Pioneer casinos, the Frontier and a family business
A casino proprietor whose businesses reached from downtown Las Vegas and Laughlin to the Strip.
1960s–1990s · 2 chapters
Resort Revolution · Next Generation
Explore Margaret Elardi’s profileGaming & hospitality180
Frontier co-owner and Casino Royale proprietor
Also known as Tom Elardi, he connects the Frontier family ownership with the smaller Casino Royale on the Strip.
1990s–2010s · 2 chapters
Next Generation · Contemporary Vegas
Explore Thomas Elardi’s profileGaming & hospitality181
The Frontier’s family ownership
A member of the Elardi family’s Frontier ownership, alongside Margaret and Thomas Elardi.
1980s–1990s · 2 chapters
Next Generation
Explore John Elardi’s profileGaming & hospitality182
Elad and the proposed Las Vegas Plaza
The Elad developer connected with the New Frontier acquisition and a Plaza-branded resort that remained unbuilt.
2000s–2010s · 2 chapters
Next Generation · Contemporary Vegas
Explore Yitzhak Tshuva’s profileGaming & hospitality183
The IDB side of the Las Vegas Plaza venture
An Israeli business figure connected to the IDB investment in the former New Frontier site.
2000s–2010s · 2 chapters
Next Generation · Contemporary Vegas
Explore Nochi Dankner’s profileGaming & hospitality186
The other Bill behind Circus Circus
Pennington partnered with Bill Bennett to rebuild Circus Circus’s business and turn it into a public casino company.
1970s–1990s · 2 chapters
Resort Revolution · Next Generation
Explore William N. Pennington’s profileGaming & hospitality187
From North Las Vegas to the Colorado River
A North Las Vegas gaming businessman whose Riverside Resort became the starting point for the southern Nevada town bearing his name.
1950s–2020s · 2 chapters
Founding Generation · Resort Revolution
Explore Don Laughlin’s profileGaming & hospitality190
Gold River investor and prospective Riviera buyer
The aviation businessman entered Nevada gaming through Gold River and pursued a Riviera–Four Queens transaction that did not close.
1990s · 2 chapters
Next Generation
Explore Allen E. Paulson’s profileGaming & hospitality191
The dealmaker behind Park Place Entertainment
Goldberg built Park Place Entertainment through consolidation, bringing Caesars Palace into its portfolio and helping develop Paris Las Vegas.
1990s–2000 · 2 chapters
Next Generation
Explore Arthur Goldberg’s profile