Why Hasn't Circus Circus Been Imploded?

Of all the great casinos that have closed (Mirage) and been imploded (Tropicana, Riviera, Desert Inn, etc.), why hasn't Circus Circus been imploded?

When then-MGM Mirage (now MGM Resorts) devoured Mandalay Resort Group in 2004, Circus Circus did seem in imminent peril of redevelopment. MGM’s CEO at the time, J. Terrence Lanni, cited its wealth of underutilized land, which included low-rise motel units and an RV park, as a compelling reason for someone to buy and by extension replace the clown casino. However, Lanni didn't get around to doing anything with the site before he left MGM under a cloud four years later.

His successor, James Murren, had quite a different take. Noting how popular Circus Circus was with his children, he vowed that it wasn’t going anywhere as long as he had any say in the matter. Murren might have regretted those words later; he was still CEO in 2019 when MGM sold Circus Circus to Phil Ruffin for $825 million as part of MGM's developing "asset-light" strategy.

Since Circus Circus is now privately owned by Phil Ruffin, we don't know anything about its financials. However, we can say that every time we've been there over the past five years, the place has been a screaming madhouse, full of people, many with youngsters in tow, occupying its nearly 3,800 rooms, eating in its half-dozen restaurants and food court, and chasing their luck (sans kids) in the casino. It's definitely a hot spot for the Latino market, its something-for-everyone nature and affordability being powerful lures. And given that appeal, it's hard to imagine that Ruffin would up and close a joint that is to Latinos what the California downtown is to Hawaiians.

However, he has made some noises about selling it. Earlier this year, he told Forbes that he was shopping Circus for $5 billion and was fielding plenty of interest from potential buyers.

Phil Ruffin is 90 years old and said he's looking to acquire another Strip property after unloading the Clown show; he's also open to properties outside of Nevada. It's possible that a buyer would implode the place and develop the mere 102 acres it sits on. But we haven't heard anything about a sale for eight months or so and even if the property sold tomorrow, it would take years to finalize redevelopment plans.

So we're mostly confident that Circus Circus will endure, its giant clown marquee giving nightmares to coulrophobics for years to come.

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Comments

djm Nov-06-2025

A Classic

Circus Circus is a CLASSIC casino that should be saved, not imploded.

Bob Nov-06-2025

Mr. Ruffin

Pretty impressive that at 90 years old he's still looking for his next deal/ project.

Toni Armstrong Jr. Nov-06-2025

North Strip needs Circus Circus

Circus Circus is one of the few North Strip properties that is actually still thriving and pulling in clientele. That and Slots-A-Fun need to remain, although major renovation (and the return of the craps table in the doorway of Slots) would be welcome. The last thing North Strip needs is more upscale development to cannibalize what little business Resorts World and Fontainebleau have managed to attract. Having another casino that caters to middle class visitors would help to pull in more foot traffic. Vive le spectacle des clowns !

SCOTT Nov-06-2025

Steak House

The steak house at Circus Circus is very good- one price for steak, soup or salad, (a very good house salad) choice of potato, vegies, and complimentary bread. Try to find that at other strip steak houses.

Dan McGlasson Nov-06-2025

vocab

And another word with which we can savor and increase our vocabulary!  Coulrophobics.  Deke, thanks for not clowning around in bringing new words to us!!

John Dulley Nov-06-2025

It’s grinding

CC is the dennys/ihops of casino hotels..

Pamela Burke Nov-06-2025

Wow!

I ask that question every time I visit. Why is it still standing?  Obviously because it still turns profit. It is, however, in my opinion, the dirtiest casino in town. The slot machines are quite “sticky”!  They should hire more cleaners with some of that profit.

Robert Nov-06-2025

Affordable

Interesting that when Tony Cornero first broke ground on the Stardust in the 50's, he envisioned it as a destination casino for the working class. Today, with the exception of CC, the North Strip is anything but.

Brent Nov-06-2025

My secret shame

The Circus Circus casino is a trash palace. It is also a place that I have started to visit regularly when I come to Vegas.

The slots seem reasonably loose, which is rare on both the Strip and Fremont Street.

It's almost like El Cortez from the 2010s

David Sabo Nov-07-2025

Used to

I use to regularly stop by and play. The free suite type room offers used to be mailed and their upgraded rooms weren't all bad. I got invited to their free slot tournaments and once took 3rd for $4000.
Then the room offers came with a mandatory resort fee added and they discontinued the slot tournaments. I stopped visiting staying there as I get free rooms everywhere.  I still stop in but it's not the same. Now I mostly play at Slots of fun.

Question of the Day - 06 November 2025

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