Harrah’s Las Vegas
History of Harrah’s Las Vegas
In 1973, Shelby and Claudine Williams opened a small casino, the Holiday Casino just opposite the Las Vegas Holiday Inn in the centre of the Strip. The Holiday Inn was interested in the casino and gradually acquired all of the shares in the company Riverboat Inc, becoming the owner in 1983. Over this time the complex developed into one of the largest hotel-casinos on the Strip. In 1992, the complex was re-named Harrah’s and the parent company undertook a complete renovation. The old theme based on an ocean liner was replaced by a carnival theme. When the renovation was finished in 1997, the complex was completely changed and had a 35 floor tower with 986 rooms bringing the total of the old and new rooms to 2677. Harrah’s Entertainment Group wanted the casino to be among the Strip’s ultramodern complexes and so they had 6 ten ton, ten metre high gold leaf sculptures made of steel and reinforced with poly resin installed. The complex is also a station on the Vegas monorail and one can use it to go directly to one of the group’s other hotel-casinos, the Rio. At the Harrah’s Las Vegas’
re-opening ceremony, the group’s chairman, Gary Love, invited many Hollywood stars and Las Vegas personalities including Sandra Bullock, Sidney Poitier, Stephen Baldwin and the casino magnate Steve Wynn and his wife Elaine. The very successful opening ceremony hosted by Harry Connick Jr. offered wonderful entertainment including Tino Wallenda, the tightrope walker who walked 42 metres on a 25mm rope at a height of 30 metres. When Harrah’s entertainment was bought out in 2004, it became known as Caesars Entertainment Corporation.
Harrah’s Las Vegas’ other services and attractions
Along with its 2677 rooms and suites, Harrah’s Las Vegas also has a night club, the Carnival Court which attracts the world’s top DJs. Nine restaurants and bars offer visitors cuisine from all over the world: Asian food in “Ming’s Table”, delicious burgers from the chef Kerry Simon can be had at his KGB restaurant and ‘The Buffet Flavors” offers a wide variety of food choices. The hotel also has several swimming pools, a Jacuzzi and a spa, “The Spa”. Harrah’s offers amazing entertainment such as “The Improve Comedy Club”, “The Mac King Comedy Magic Show” and “The Million dollar Quartet” which tells the story of four legendary musicians: Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins. The complex also has several souvenir and jewellery shops open to its clients and to visitors.
Harrah’s Las Vegas’ casino
Covering just over 8000m2 the Harrah’s Las Vegas casino offers more than 1200 slot machines as well as numerous gaming tables. The complexes poker room, “The Poker Place” is luxurious and comfortable. The casino also has a private room for Keno players. Sports betting and horse racing fans can bet in the Sports Pit, a superb room with several giant HD screens.