Gold Strike Casino Resort

Gold Strike Casino and Resort
Address 1010 Casino Center Drive, Tunica Resorts, Mississippi 38664
Opening date August 29, 1994
Theme Luxury
Number of rooms 1,258
Owner MGM Resorts International
Previous names Circus Circus Tunica
Renovated in 1997, 2009, 2010
Website Gold Strike Casino Resort

Gold Strike Casino Resort (or Gold Strike Casino and Resort) in Tunica Resorts, Mississippi is an MGM Resorts International resort located 20 minutes south of Memphis, Tennessee. In 2008, MGM Mirage made a large investment in Gold Strike Casino Resort and a commitment to the Tunica market with a multi-million dollar renovation and remodeling project. The upgrade, which took two years to complete and is the largest in the casino resort’s history, included all of Gold Strike’s 1,133 oversized rooms and 125 suites, the conference and convention center, the Atrium Café, the Courtyard Buffet and the high-limit gaming and lobby areas. The resort also includes Chicago Steakhouse restaurant, which has won several awards including the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence; a recently opened nightclub, Red Door; a spa and salon; the 800-seat Millennium Theater; and 50,000 square feet (4,600 m2) of gaming space with 52 table games and more than 1,400 slot machines.

At 31-stories tall, Gold Strike Casino Resort is one of the most recognizable buildings in Tunica and towers above all other structures.[1] When built, the gold tower was reported to be the tallest building in Mississippi.[2][3]

History

Gold Strike was originally opened by Circus Circus Enterprises as Circus Circus Tunica on August 29, 1994. The building, resembling a circus tent, did not house a hotel. Due to a 50% decline in operating income in 1997, Circus Circus began to renovate the property, adding a 1,200-room tower hotel and other features including a theater. The casino was rebranded as the Gold Strike Casino Resort and given a more upscale theme. The total cost for the remodel was estimated to be $125 million.[4] The Gold Strike's 31-story hotel tower was the tallest building in the state of Mississippi at the time of its opening, providing stark contrast to an area of the state previously devoted mostly to agriculture.[2] In 2009, the resort underwent another multi-million dollar renovation during which time the property remained opened.

References

  1. Joe Bob Briggs, "The Vegas Guy: Gold Strike Casino/Tunica", United Press International, July 23, 2002.
  2. 2.0 2.1 David L. Langford, "Casinos put Mississippi Delta county on the map", Associated Press in The Cincinnati Enquirer, April 11, 1999.
  3. Stephanie N. Mehta, "Legalized gambling lifts a depressed town", Fortune, March 15, 2007.
  4. "Circus Circus Enterprises, Inc.--A Gaming Company". Uploaded 2010-02-04. Retrieved 2010-07-05. Check date values in: |date= (help)

External links

Coordinates: 34°50′47″N 90°19′57″W / 34.84635°N 90.33255°W