Steve Wynn
The resort as a destination
The Golden Nugget, Mirage and Bellagio trace a career in which resort design, entertainment and financing changed the Strip’s competitive ambitions.
Bingo, then the Frontier
Wynn took over his family’s Maryland bingo business after his father’s death. He moved to Las Vegas in 1967 with an interest in the Frontier. UNLV’s career profile follows his subsequent business ventures and purchase of a controlling position in the downtown Golden Nugget. [1]
From downtown to destination resort
The Mirage opened in 1989, followed by Treasure Island in 1993 and Bellagio in 1998. The progression linked casino business to an increasingly elaborate resort experience. Financing belongs in that story too: PBS traces the role of high-yield bonds in Wynn’s expansion. [1] [2]
Two connected corporate histories
MGM’s acquisition of Mirage Resorts in 2000 joins Wynn’s story to Kerkorian’s. Wynn then acquired the Desert Inn site and developed Wynn Las Vegas, which opened in 2005. The property names can obscure those changes of ownership; following the transactions restores the sequence. [1] MGM Resorts
The later record
Wynn resigned in 2018 after sexual misconduct allegations, which he denied. AP reports that he agreed to a $10 million Nevada regulatory fine without admitting wrongdoing. The resort achievements and the later allegations and regulatory outcome are distinct parts of his history. [4]
Key dates
People in the same story
Jay Sarno
The Sarno oral-history project includes Wynn’s recollections. [3]
Read the profileKirk Kerkorian
Their company histories converge in the 2000 acquisition. MGM Resorts
Read the profileJimmy Vaccaro
Vaccaro opened the Mirage sportsbook in 1989. South Point
Read the profileSeth Schorr
Follow the related story in Seth Schorr’s profile. Seth Schorr
Read the profileLarry Ruvo
Follow the related story in Larry Ruvo’s profile. Horatio Alger Association
Read the profileE. Parry Thomas
Explore the banking relationship described in the Sun’s Thomas obituary. Las Vegas Sun
Read the profileIn the archive
22 matching entries in the saved collection.
Steve Wynn's new Mirage
Indexed press reference · View the bibliography. The original report has not been independently read for this entry.
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The Mirage opens its doors
The Sun reports the debut of Steve Wynn’s Mirage on the Strip.
Gaming titan Steve Wynn moves to buy Dunes Hotel
Indexed press reference · View the bibliography. The original report has not been independently read for this entry.
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Mirage Betting Bigger is Better : Recreation: Steve Wynn has built two of the world's largest hotels and is planning two more
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)
The chips are down in Vegas, but Steve Wynn is betting big
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)
Looking for a Break from a Stressful World, Steve Wynn Doubles Down in Las Vegas
Headline and date checked against publisher metadata; full text has not been independently reviewed.
Publisher-page access is unconfirmed. Access check: Oct 4, 2026. Search for this source (search results)
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
Stephen A. Wynn
An earlier career profile. Read alongside the later reporting below.
- 2
Corporate Las Vegas
A broad account of corporate investment and resort financing, rather than a contemporaneous report.
- 3
Steve Wynn on Jay Sarno, December 8, 2006
The catalog says the interview is accessible onsite only and requires permission for quotation or publication. ARGENT links to the catalog and does not reproduce the interview.
- 4
Supreme Court turns back Steve Wynn’s appeal in defamation lawsuit
Reports the 2018 resignation, his denial of misconduct allegations and the Nevada settlement without an admission of wrongdoing.