Kenny Epstein
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.
A career preserved in oral history
UNLV Gaming Law Journal’s interview follows Epstein’s casino career, including the Caesars Palace period. It provides a first-person route into operations and business relationships. [1]
The El Cortez succession
The hotel’s own timeline dates Epstein’s purchase from longtime partner Jackie Gaughan to 2008. Subsequent renovations, including the Cabana Suites in 2009, add to the story of an old downtown property adapting to new customers. [2]
A link to newer hospitality businesses
The Review-Journal identifies Jonathan Fine as Epstein’s son-in-law. That relationship connects the El Cortez story to the Fine family’s restaurant and nightlife businesses without implying common ownership of all their ventures. [3]
Key dates
- 2008
Purchases El Cortez from Jackie Gaughan. [2]
- 2009
Cabana Suites opens in the former Ogden House property. [2]
- 2017
UNLV Gaming Law Journal publishes his oral history. [1]
People in the same story
Jackie Gaughan
Longtime partner and predecessor at El Cortez. [2]
Read the profileJonathan Fine
His son-in-law’s hospitality career. [3]
Read the profileAlex Epstein-Gudai
Follow the related story in Alex Epstein-Gudai’s profile. VEGAS INC
Read the profileIn the archive
134 entries about associated places, not necessarily this person in the saved collection.
An El Cortez robbery reaches court
The Sun reports a guilty plea in a conspiracy to rob the downtown El Cortez casino.
Lights of Las Vegas
Indexed press reference · View the bibliography. The original report has not been independently read for this entry.
Publisher-page access is unconfirmed. Access check: Oct 4, 2026. Search for this source (search results)
Five More Seek Shares In Caesars Palace Bank
Indexed press reference · View the bibliography. The original report has not been independently read for this entry.
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Caesars Palace reaches opening night
The Sun’s contemporary coverage records the opening of Caesars Palace.
Caesar's Palace Latest Addition on Las Vegas' Fabulous Gaming Strip
Indexed press reference · View the bibliography. The original report has not been independently read for this entry.
Publisher-page access is unconfirmed. Access check: Oct 4, 2026. Search for this source (search results)
Caesars Palace Boss Arrested for Pulling Gun on Sinatra
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Go deeper into the record.
Sources for this profile and starting points for further research. Access notes mark links we could not open directly during the October 3–4, 2026 checks. Historical accounts describe their own period; they do not necessarily describe current operations.
- 1
- 2
The history of El Cortez
The hotel’s own retrospective timeline.
- 3
Las Vegas bar owner saw plenty of turmoil during pandemic
Historical reference located in indexed publisher material; the publisher page could not be opened in the October 2, 2026 link check.
Subscription or access restrictions may apply. Access check: Oct 4, 2026. Search for this source (search results)