Jay sarno and circus circus
Jay Sarno was a visionary hotel and casino developer who played a crucial role in shaping modern Las Vegas. He is best known for founding Caesars Palace and Circus Circus.
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Sarno envisioned Circus Circus as a family-friendly casino resort with a circus theme which was a departure from the more adult-oriented nature of most Las Vegas casinos at the time. The idea was to create a fun, entertaining environment that would attract families as well as gamblers.
Circus Circus officially opened on October 18, 1968. The casino's main attraction was its Big Top, which featured live circus acts performing throughout the day. This included trapeze artists, clowns, and acrobats, providing constant entertainment for guests. Surrounding this was a midway with carnival games.​​​
​Over the years, Circus Circus expanded and evolved, adding hotel towers, an RV park, and an indoor amusement park called Adventuredome. These additions helped solidify its reputation as a family destination.
The property changed ownership several times. In 1974, Sarno sold his interest in Circus Circus. Eventually, it became part of the MGM Resorts International portfolio.
