Phil Ruffin ownership of Circus Circus

Has anyone noticed any changes recently at Circus Circus? Ruffin said his first priority was going to be Slots-A-Fun. Any remodeling started yet? Rooms also need upgrading, but I think this is planned be done slowly, as Circus is going to still go after the low-roller, value(cheap) customer. I am interested to know if BJ rules have gotten better, as TI has some of the best rules on the strip. TI is also very sweaty, so that may also come to Circus. Ruffin also mentioned that the RV park was going to go, and be used for an expanded and better pool area. Where is the closest RV park to the strip after Circus closes? If Circus does eventually get remodeled, and once Resorts World and the Drew open, the north strip may become the area to go to? I hope they don't lose some of the iconic parts of Circus Circus in the meantime. My first Nevada trip was to Circus Circus in Reno, and I can still remember being amazed that you could get free beers and watch free circus acts, just for putting a few nickels in a video poker machine. If they ever lose the circus and the midway, Ruffin will have made a big mistake.

 

Resorts World...ok. The Drew? I expect that to open as soon as we can all ride flying pigs to get there.

Ruffin's plan to return Slots-A-Fun to it's "glory days" is brilliant. Back in the Stardust/Westward Ho/North Strip good old days, they place was always busy, lively and, well, fun. A low rollers paradise. I have no clue whatsoever as to the thought process that turned it into what it currently is.

The only real plans he expressed is S-A-F, a new pool area, a theatre for a Cirque show, and selling off the RV park. He doesn't seem in any hurry to remodel rooms or change much of anything else over his first few years of ownership.

I've taken my kid there numerous times over the last 3-4 years and always assumed Moneygrubbing Murren didn't know MGM owned the place. Because he was still paying quality circus acts, a ringmaster, and 3 undoubtedly-union musicians to perform daily.

 

Hopefully they reinstall the dirty old carpet and foot long machine in slots a fun. That and the craps table by to sidewalk. The place was actually fun back then. Not everything needs to be fancified.

 

I was there last month and didn’t notice any changes.

 

I stopped in CC and SAF in early December and really not much had changed. If Phil can make SAF as fun as it was many years ago, then more power to him. I think he will probably do gradual renovations of CC, but nothing earthshattering for awhile. The place was printing $$$ for MGM as was, with very little being done to it.

I would hope he is working on joining the slot club with TI. Especially if he decides to buy a CET property.

 

We ate at CC Steak House in November. CC is a hole. The hallowed steakery needs a makeover. Not sure that can be accomplished there.

 

how could much have changed? The ink had barely dried on the deal.

Give it a couple of years and see if they announce substantive changes. I wouldn't expect it to look any different in 2020.

 

Phil's 84. He better get it started now if he wants to see all this completed.

 

Redoing Slots a Fun should be a pretty easy project. All they need to do is fumigate what's currently there, re-carpet and paint, then move in some actual machines and tables.

Start with low limits and decent rules. People will come.

One thought I've had since seeing Absinthe was that CC should have a sexier, circus after dark show later in the evening. Make the midway 21+ after 10.

 

Well, first they have to burn the entire place down...

But yeah. The interesting thing about CC is that they're something of a magnet for traditional circus acts. Absinthe and the like mostly feed off of the AGT circuit, and Cirque shows have a very specific demographic. But I know performers who absolutely love being at CC, because they can just go and do their thing without needing to worry about a plot or much management interference.

 

We were at SOF this summer and...yeah there's really not much there. Many of the slots didn't even have chairs. And the slots themselves were old but not fun and old. We were also in Circus Circus - and then out of Circus Circus, so there's that.

 

A great description! I think there were maybe 6 people in SOF when we stopped in last fall. (Including employees/security guard)
Needs to be gutted or bulldozed. Anything there would be an improvement and have to draw in more people/profit.

 

That craps table was almost always crowded back when they had it there.