CasaBlanca
Location Mesquite, Nevada, Nevada 89027
Address 950 West Mesquite Boulevard
Opening dateJune 29, 1995 (1995-06-29)
No. of rooms472
Total gaming space27,000 sq ft (2,500 m2)[1]
Signature attractionsCasaBlanca Golf Club
OwnerMesquite Gaming
Previous namesPlayers Island (1995–97)
Websitewww.casablancaresort.com

CasaBlanca is a hotel, casino, and RV park located in Mesquite, Nevada.[2] The resort, originally known as Players Island, was opened by Players International on June 29, 1995. After struggling financially, the resort was sold to Randy Black Sr., who renamed it as the CasaBlanca in July 1997. The resort, located on 42 acres (17 ha), includes 472 rooms, 24 timeshare units and a 45-space RV park.

History

Players Island

The property was previously occupied by farmland, owned by Bryan Hafen.[3][4] In May 1994, Hafen sold the site to Players International.[5] A month later, the company announced plans to build a hotel-casino on the land.[6][7] Players International had previously only operated riverboat casinos.[8] Construction of the new resort, known as Players Island, began in the third quarter of 1994.[9] The nine-story hotel was topped off in early 1995.[10] Merv Griffin held a 12.4-percent interest in Players International, and he would also be in charge of producing a theatrical show for the new resort.[8][11]

Players Island was built on 42 acres,[4][12] and was completed ahead of schedule.[13] The resort had an unadvertised early opening on June 29, 1995, to work out any issues prior to a publicized grand opening ceremony. Despite the lack of marketing, several hundred customers visited the resort for its early opening.[14][15] An official grand opening took place on July 28, 1995.[16][17][18] Players Island was the third resort to open in Mesquite, after the Oasis and Virgin River.[13][19]

Players Island was themed after a tropical island,[20][21][22] and included lawns, fountains, waterfalls, and palm trees.[4][23] The resort exterior was pink in color.[24][25] The property included 486 hotel rooms,[26] and a 40,000 sq ft (3,700 m2) casino with 850 slot machines, 29 table games, a sportsbook, and keno.[20] The casino introduced new card games to the area such as mini-baccarat, Caribbean stud poker, and pai gow poker.[14] Players Island also included several restaurants,[23][27] convention space,[20] and a spa offering mud baths.[23][22] A 45-unit RV park and tennis courts were scheduled to open in August 1995,[4] and a golf course was scheduled to open the following year. The $80 million resort was expected to employ as many as 900 people.[20] There were plans to eventually expand the hotel to 1,500 rooms.[28]

A 90-minute, family friendly show called Island Fever opened in August 1995. It was performed in the resort's Bali Hai Theater, which had seating for 425 people.[29][30] In later years, the theater would offer seating for 550 people.[31] A magic show was added in July 1996.[32]

Early on, the resort was popular with its target clientele, which consisted of residents from Las Vegas and Utah.[17][15] Marketing was later expanded to Colorado and southern California.[15] Although initially popular,[28][15] Players Island soon struggled financially.[33] On average, the resort failed to keep 80 percent of its hotel rooms full, and free rooms were eventually offered to residents of Las Vegas and Salt Lake City.[26][24] The local resort market was considered overbuilt, according to observers of the gaming industry. Players Island, with its spa and golf course, was also considered too upscale for the city and the motorists who traveled through it on Interstate 15.[24]

In January 1997, Players International announced a preliminary agreement to sell the resort, at a loss, to Randy Black Sr.[34][35] Black owned the Virgin River resort,[24] and he had also made previous offers for Players Island. His latest offer was for $26 million, although Players International sought other buyers, hoping to get a better price.[25][36] Two prospective buyers, Harrah's Entertainment and the comedian Gallagher, had reportedly made offers to purchase the resort. However, the preliminary sale agreement mandated that the resort be sold to someone within two months, as Players International was eager to work on other projects. This deadline deterred interested buyers,[37] who did not have enough time to secure financing for a purchase.[38] Hafen was among prospective buyers, although his bid was matched by Black.[5] In March 1997, Players International agreed to sell the resort to Black for $30.5 million, still substantially less than what the company had invested in it.[39][40][41]

CasaBlanca

CasaBlanca in 2007
Hotel buildings in 2008

Black's purchase was finalized in June 1997,[42] and he renamed the property as the CasaBlanca.[43] The name change became effective on July 1, 1997.[44] In 1998, undercover federal agents conducted Operation Casablanca, in which suspects were arrested for money laundering. Agents, posing as employees and owners of the CasaBlanca, invited the suspects to the resort and later arrested them. The operation's name was coincidental, having been chosen prior to the resort's name change in 1997.[45][46]

In 2001, the CasaBlanca added 15 timeshare units.[47]

On January 22, 2003, three-year-old Kristyanna Cowan was murdered at the CasaBlanca's RV park.[2][48][49] The CasaBlanca later agreed to pay $5.5 million to a surviving victim of the attack.[50][51]

Since 2008, the CasaBlanca Event Center has hosted the Golden Gloves junior boxing competitions.[52][53] The resort has also hosted the Miss Nevada pageant,[54][55][56] the annual "Smokin' in Mesquite" barbecue competition,[57][58] and music festivals.[59][60]

As of 2010, the hotel included 472 rooms. The resort also had 24 timeshare units, making up the CasaBlanca Vacation Club.[61] Black filed for bankruptcy in 2011, and Mesquite Gaming was formed to take over his properties, including the CasaBlanca.[62][63] It is the largest employer in Mesquite.[64][65] The CasaBlanca advertises itself as being, "Like Vegas used to be."[66][67][59]

CasaBlanca Golf Club

The resort includes the CasaBlanca Golf Club,[68] at 7,011 yards (6,411 m) par 72.[15][69] It was built south of the resort, on property once used as an alfalfa field. The course is located beside the Virgin River,[70][71] and was described as a tribute to Mother Nature.[71][72] It was designed by Cal Olson.[15][73][74] Construction for the course began in November 1995.[75][71] It opened in October 1996, as part of Players Island.[74][76][77] The CasaBlanca also operates a second nearby course, the Palms Golf Club.[78]

References

  1. ↑ "CasaBlanca Resort, Casino, Golf, & Spa". Casino City, Inc. Retrieved 2009-07-25.
  2. 1 2 Almeida, Christina (2005-05-26). "Surviving Sister Awaits Justice in 2003 Stabbing". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 25 July 2009.
  3. ↑ "Growth hits some residents close to home". The Spectrum. 22 January 1995. Retrieved 30 December 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Merv's Resort Makes Mesquite A Major Player". The Salt Lake Tribune. 30 July 1995. Retrieved 29 December 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. 1 2 "Hafen admits to making bid for Players". The Spectrum. 18 March 1997. Retrieved 30 December 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "Players' next project on 45 acres in Nevada". The Paducah Sun. 17 June 1994. Retrieved 29 December 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "Casino makes new deal in Mesquite". The Spectrum. 14 July 1994. Retrieved 29 December 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. 1 2 "Commissioners OK Pinon Plaza license". Reno Gazette-Journal. 22 June 1995. Retrieved 29 December 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "Local stocks rally in tandem with Wall Street's late-week surge". Southern Illinoisan. 30 October 1994. Retrieved 30 December 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ "Topping-off party for Players Island". The Spectrum. 5 February 1995. Retrieved 30 December 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ "Griffin, Players to Open Casino with Spa in Nevada". The Press of Atlantic City. 27 June 1995. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  12. ↑ "Players Island brings 24-hour gaming, pool, spa and 18-hole golf to Mesquite". Los Angeles Times. 7 August 1996. Retrieved 30 December 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. 1 2 "Players Island Resort Is 3rd in Mesquite". The Salt Lake Tribune. 30 June 1995. Retrieved 29 December 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. 1 2 "Players Island opens doors on Saturday". The Spectrum. 30 June 1995. Retrieved 30 December 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Mesquite resort expands marketing as golf getaway". Las Vegas Sun. 12 July 1996. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  16. ↑ "Vegas Wire / Griffin, Players Execs to Join Casino's Grand Opening". The Press of Atlantic City. 9 July 1995. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  17. 1 2 Smith, Christopher (30 July 1995). "Merv's Betting Utahns Will Flock to Mesquite Resort". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 29 December 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ↑ "Growth Continues in Nevada as 2 More Resorts Open". The Press of Atlantic City. 6 August 1995. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  19. ↑ Fink, Jerry (2003-07-29). "Mesquite's big four casinos". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 25 July 2009.
  20. 1 2 3 4 "Players Island resort opens in Mesquite". The Daily Herald. 9 July 1995. Retrieved 29 December 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ↑ "Tropical island resort scheduled to open July 1". The Spectrum. 28 May 1995. Retrieved 30 December 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. 1 2 Waters, Charlie (27 April 1997). "Desert Green". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  23. 1 2 3 "Players Island resort offers a respite from glitz of Las Vegas". Knight-Ridder. 10 March 1996. Retrieved 30 December 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. 1 2 3 4 Steinhauer, Adam (February 17, 1997). "Mesquite's Four of a Kind". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on July 19, 1997.
  25. 1 2 "Players Island seeks better offer". Las Vegas Sun. 4 February 1997. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  26. 1 2 Steinhauer, Adam (February 12, 1997). "Mesquite's Latest: New casino to be fourth in 'tough' market". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on July 19, 1997.
  27. ↑ "Player's Island offers tropical getaway (page 2)". The Daily Herald. 19 November 1995. Retrieved 30 December 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. 1 2 "St. George hotels hit by Nevada heat". The Spectrum. 8 August 1996. Retrieved 30 December 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ↑ "Talking on the Island with Merv". The Spectrum. 9 August 1995. Retrieved 31 December 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ↑ "'Island Fever' lights up Mesquite". The Spectrum. 20 August 1995. Retrieved 31 December 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ↑ Fink, Jerry (29 July 2003). "Mesquite's big four casinos". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  32. ↑ "Players Island adds magic to its show". The Spectrum. 18 July 1996. Retrieved 31 December 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ↑ Berns, Dave (26 November 1996). "Trying to Rally the Players". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  34. ↑ "Players International to Sell Resort in Nevada". The New York Times. 30 January 1997. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  35. ↑ "Gaming / Players Puts Casino for Sale". The Press of Atlantic City. 30 January 1997. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  36. ↑ "Players Island may change hands". The Spectrum. 28 February 1997. Retrieved 30 December 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ↑ "Players on verge of resort sale". Las Vegas Sun. 26 February 1997. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  38. ↑ "Sale of Players Island may be on hold". Las Vegas Sun. 27 February 1997. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  39. ↑ "Players Island to be sold to rival". Las Vegas Sun. 3 March 1997. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  40. ↑ "Black purchases Players for $30.5 million". The Spectrum. 4 March 1997. Retrieved 30 December 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. ↑ "Rival casinos, employees await Black reshuffle at Players Island". The Spectrum. 10 March 1997. Retrieved 30 December 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  42. ↑ "Vegas Wire / Nevada Panel Approves Casablanca Sale". The Press of Atlantic City. 29 June 1997. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  43. ↑ "Old Players Island club changes hands, renamed Casablanca". Las Vegas Sun. June 19, 1997. Retrieved 25 July 2009.
  44. ↑ "CasaBlanca's midnight transition goes smoothly". The Spectrum. 8 July 1997. Retrieved 31 December 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  45. ↑ Wilen, John (20 May 1998). "CasaBlanca was unaware of sting operation". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  46. ↑ Geer, Carri (20 May 1998). "Bust carefully set up to end in desert arrests". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on 14 September 2000.
  47. ↑ "Mesquite property adding timeshares". Las Vegas Sun. 2 May 2001. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  48. ↑ "Couple will do time in prison". Las Vegas Sun. 2005-09-28. Retrieved 25 July 2009.
  49. ↑ Trauntvein, Myrna. "On our front page this week". The Times-News. Retrieved 25 July 2009.
  50. ↑ Puit, Glenn (27 May 2005). "Stabbed girl to get $5.5 million – Resort agrees to pay paralyzed teenager but denies liability". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on 29 May 2005.
  51. ↑ Pordum, Matt (27 May 2005). "Paraplegic teen to get $5.5 million". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  52. ↑ "Jr. Golden Gloves returns to Mesquite". The Spectrum. 16 July 2008. Retrieved 31 December 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  53. ↑ Wilkins, Terell (26 July 2018). "Golden Gloves Nationals showcases nationwide youth boxing talent at Mesquite's CasaBlanca". The Spectrum. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  54. ↑ "Miss Nevada crowned in Mesquite". Reno Gazette-Journal. 18 July 2006. Retrieved 31 December 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  55. ↑ "Dixie State College Senior, Alana Lee, Crowned Miss Nevada". St. George News. 6 July 2011. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  56. ↑ Navidi, Leila (11 July 2012). "Roller girl". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  57. ↑ Worthington, Therresa (28 April 2014). "Masters treat area to BBQ". The Spectrum. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  58. ↑ "7th annual 'Smokin' in Mesquite BBQ' tempts taste buds, delights enthusiasts". St. George News. 17 April 2015. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  59. 1 2 Wilkins, Terell (8 February 2018). "2018 Mesquite Music Fest brings old school Las Vegas back to Mesquite". The Spectrum. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  60. ↑ Snow, Abigail (22 February 2017). "A Golden Era Of Music Re-lived at Casablanca Music Fest". Moapa Valley Progress. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  61. ↑ Green, Steve (19 May 2010). "Black Gaming demolishing Oasis casino in Mesquite". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  62. ↑ Sieroty, Chris (29 July 2011). "New company's plans for Mesquite approved". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  63. ↑ Stutz, Howard (8 October 2013). "Randy Black out as COO of Mesquite Gaming". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  64. ↑ "Mesquite Hospital signs health deal". The Spectrum. 25 September 2004. Retrieved 31 December 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  65. ↑ "Mesquite facts". Mesquite Chamber of Commerce. Archived from the original on 29 November 2011. Retrieved 23 August 2011.
  66. ↑ Dye, Dave (29 March 2016). "Mesquite is how Vegas used to be". Gaming Today. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  67. ↑ Bekker, Jessie (6 August 2017). "Growth spurt turning Mesquite into 'Little Vegas'". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  68. ↑ Bowman, Bill (15 November 2010). "CasaBlanca Golf Club in Mesquite, Nevada mixes wetlands with desert surroundings". Las Vegas Golf. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  69. ↑ Penner, Andrew (16 May 2005). "With five golf courses, Mesquite, Nevada breaks out of Vegas' shadow". Las Vegas Golf. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  70. ↑ Velotta, Richard N. (12 July 1996). "New golf layout follows Virgin's course". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  71. 1 2 3 "It's what Mother Nature intended, golf v.p. says". The Spectrum. 21 February 1996. Retrieved 29 December 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  72. ↑ "New Players Island course 'tribute to Mother Nature'". Las Vegas Sun. 6 August 1996. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  73. ↑ "Players Island Golf". The Spectrum. 26 July 1996. Retrieved 31 December 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  74. 1 2 "Playability key to new Players Island Golf Course". The Spectrum. 19 October 1996. Retrieved 31 December 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  75. ↑ "Player's Island offers tropical getaway". The Daily Herald. 19 November 1995. Retrieved 30 December 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  76. ↑ Benton, Peter (23 October 1996). "Players Island a desert gem". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  77. ↑ "Undulating greens make Players Island a challenge". Las Vegas Sun. 22 October 1996. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  78. ↑ Chareunsy, Don (1 February 2015). "Tiny Mesquite has myriad ways of attracting visitors". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on 7 August 2015.

36°48′09″N 114°06′01″W / 36.802619°N 114.100163°W / 36.802619; -114.100163

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