Jackie Gaughan

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John D. "Jackie" Gaughan, Sr. (born October 24, 1920) is a casino owner and operator from the early 1950s in Las Vegas, Nevada. Jackie is a native of Omaha, Nebraska who currently calls the El Cortez home. He is often seen daily on the El Cortez's modest size casino floor which begins at the hotel's front desk and main entrance doors. Many players have been surprised by his unpretensious manner and willingness to talk about "old Las Vegas".

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[edit] Family

Son Michael Gaughan took over many of the day to day operations of Jackie Gaughan's casinos over the years. His other son Jackie Gaughan Jr. (November 24, 1947-November 12, 2002) had ownership interests in the El Cortez and The Gold Spike. His grandson is NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Brendan Gaughan.

[edit] Biography

Gaughan earned a degree from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska before moving to Nevada during World War II as an enlisted man. He first got involved in setting spreads for sporting events while working part-time at legal horse racing tracks around Omaha. After the war he stayed in Las Vegas and purchased the El Cortez from Bugsy Seigel who sold to finance the Flamingo.[1] On March 25, 2004, Barrick Gaming purchased four of Jackie's downtown casinos for $82 million. Under Gaughan's casino ownership, places like the El Cortez, have tried to value a diverse workforce. In recognition of this practice, the University of Nebraska named a new on campus student center "The Jackie D. Gaughan Multicultural Center".[1]

[edit] Casino involvement

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Family provides capstone gift for multicultural center. UNL Communications Office The Scarlet'. Retrieved on 2007-09-28.