The northern end of the Las Vegas Strip has experienced fluctuations, but experts anticipate a gradual increase in activity and excitement that may enhance the value of establishments such as Circus Circus
Phil Ruffin, an experienced casino owner and friend of President-elect Donald Trump, is getting ready to possibly sell the well-known Circus Circus Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
Ruffin Eyes Profit on Las Vegas Strip’s Prime Real Estate
Ruffin bought the property for $825 million in 2019 and now thinks it is worth $5 billion because of its great 102-acre spot on the north end of the Las Vegas Strip.
Circus Circus, a trailblazer in family-friendly entertainment when it opened in 1968 now struggles to keep up with today’s trends. Its cheap rooms, live circus shows, and indoor amusement park still pull in middle-class families, but people criticize its old buildings and less fancy location. Ruffin does not care much about how the casino’s doing now, reported Forbes. Instead, he is interested in the ground it sits on, which he thinks is some of the most valuable land in Las Vegas.
The Las Vegas Strip’s northern end has seen its share of ups and downs. Big projects like the Sphere and the new Fountainbleau have turned heads but run into financial troubles. Still, experts see a slow but steady move of action and buzz toward this part of the Las Vegas Strip, which could boost the worth of places like Circus Circus.
Ruffin sees the land as a chance to make big bucks. He remembers how well he did when he sold the Frontier Hotel in 2007 for $1.2 billion, after buying it for much less. He seems to be using the same playbook now dreaming up ways to change the land around Circus Circus.
Vegas Mogul Phil Ruffin Looks Homeward with $200M Golden Circle Casino project in Kansas
Besides his Las Vegas projects, Ruffin has plans for a new casino in Wichita, Kansas, where he grew up. The Golden Circle complex costing $200 million, will have gaming machines, a place for outdoor concerts, and a Western-style bar. It is set to open this year showing Ruffin wants to do more than just work in Nevada.
While Ruffin is big in Las Vegas gaming, he is also connected to national politics through Trump. They have been friends for years and owned properties together, like the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. Ruffin backs policies that aim to boost American manufacturing and agrees with Trump on trade, immigration, and how to deal with other countries.
As Ruffin considers what is next for Circus Circus, his past successes and big-picture thinking hint at another big move coming up. Throughout his career, he has taken smart risks and made highly lucrative deals. Whatever Ruffin does next will change the Las Vegas scene for years to come.
