Riviera Casino in Las Vegas
History of the Riviera Casino
The Riviera Casino was a hotel and casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. It was the first casino to open on the Strip in 1955, and it quickly became one of the most popular destinations in Las Vegas. The casino was known for its lavish decor, its celebrity guests, and its high-stakes gambling.
The Riviera Casino was owned and operated by the Riviera Hotel and Casino Corporation. The company was founded in 1954 by Milton Prell, a Chicago businessman. Prell had previously owned and operated several other casinos in Las Vegas, including the Sands Hotel and Casino.
The Riviera Casino was designed by Wayne McAllister, an architect who had also designed several other casinos in Las Vegas. The casino was built in a Mediterranean style, and it featured a large swimming pool, a golf course, and a number of restaurants and shops.
The Riviera Casino opened on April 20, 1955. The casino was an immediate success, and it quickly became one of the most popular destinations in Las Vegas. The casino was known for its lavish decor, its celebrity guests, and its high-stakes gambling.
In 1963, the Riviera Casino was sold to the Del Webb Corporation. The Del Webb Corporation was a large real estate development company that owned and operated several other casinos in Las Vegas. The Del Webb Corporation continued to operate the Riviera Casino until 1999.
Closure of the Riviera Casino
In 1999, the Riviera Casino was sold to the Las Vegas Sands Corporation. The Las Vegas Sands Corporation was a large casino company that owned and operated several other casinos in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Sands Corporation closed the Riviera Casino on May 4, 2015.
The closure of the Riviera Casino was a major blow to the Las Vegas Strip. The casino had been a popular destination for decades, and its closure left a void in the Las Vegas tourism market.
The Riviera Casino was demolished in 2016. The site of the casino is now occupied by the Resorts World Las Vegas casino.
Legacy of the Riviera Casino
The Riviera Casino was a major landmark on the Las Vegas Strip. The casino was known for its lavish decor, its celebrity guests, and its high-stakes gambling. The casino was also a popular destination for tourists from all over the world.
The closure of the Riviera Casino was a major blow to the Las Vegas Strip. The casino had been a popular destination for decades, and its closure left a void in the Las Vegas tourism market.
The Riviera Casino is still remembered by many people today. The casino is often mentioned in books, articles, and movies about Las Vegas. The casino is also featured in a number of songs, including “Viva Las Vegas” by Elvis Presley and “The Riviera” by Kenny Rogers.
The Riviera Casino was a major part of Las Vegas history. The casino was a popular destination for tourists from all over the world, and it played a major role in the development of Las Vegas as a major tourist destination.
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