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 unpretentious manner and willingness to talk about "old Las Vegas".
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[edit] Family
- Jackie Gaughan Jr. (November 24, 1947 - November 10, 2002) had ownership interests in the El Cortez and The Gold Spike.
- Michael Gaughan took over many of the day to day operations of Jackie Gaughan's casinos over the years. He also owns the rights to operate slot concession at McCarran International Airport under the name Michael Gaughan Airport Slots.
- Grandson, Brendan Gaughan is a NASCAR Nationwide Series driver.
[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. The El Cortez was formerly owned by Bugsy Seigel who sold it 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 Gaughan Multicultural Center".[1]
[edit] Casino involvement
- Boulder Club
- Flamingo Las Vegas
- The Vegas Club 1961-2004
- El Cortez 1963-
- The Western 1970-2004
- Plaza Hotel & Casino 1971-2004
- Royal Inn Casino 1972-
- Golden Nugget Las Vegas -1973
- The Gold Spike 1985-2004
- Showboat Hotel & Casino
- Showboat Casino, Atlantic City
- Ambassador East Hotel Resort Casino
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Family provides capstone gift for multicultural center". UNL Communications Office The Scarlet. http://ucommxsrv1.unl.edu/scarlet/public/FMPro?-db=scarletstory&-format=storydetail.htm&-lay=public&-op=eq&storyid=732785S36974X&-max=1&-find=. Retrieved 2007-09-28.
