Hard Rock Casino Las Vegas - 2024 News Archive

Tribes with Las Vegas Casinos

These Native American tribes own successful casinos in other states and now operate large commercial casinos in Las Vegas. Other tribes would like to expand into Las Vegas and are looking for similar opportunities.

Seminole Tribe {Florida}
Hard Rock Casino Las Vegas and Guitar Hotel (2027)

The Seminole Tribe of Florida owns Hard Rock International, which operates casinos in 76 countries worldwide.

In 2021 Hard Rock International purchased The Mirage Hotel & Casino. The Mirage was shut down in July 2024 to begin a 3-year construction project to transform the property into an iconic destinationm casino with a guitar-shaped hotel. The new Hard Rock Casino Las Vegas and Guitar Hotel will open in early 4Q 2027.

Mohegan Tribe (Connecticut)
Mohegan Casino Las Vegas

The Mohegan Tribe owns Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, is a worldwide developer of casino resorts including the Mohegan Sun Casino is Uncasville, Connecticut. Mohegan Sun is among the top 5 largest casinos in our nation.

Mohegan Gaming has operated the Mohegan Casino at Virgin Hotel Las Vegas since 2021. The casino will be transitioned over to Virgin Hotels Las Vegas by the end of 2024.

San Manual Tribe (California)
Palms Casino Resort

The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians own and operate the Yaamava' Resort Casino in Highland, California. The Yaamava' is the largest casino resort west of Las Vegas.

The tribe purchased the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas in Dec. 2021. After a renovation, the Palms reopened under its new management in the April 2022.

Cherokee Nation (Oklahoma)

The next tribal player in Las Vegas may be the Cherokee Nation, one of the largest gaming tribes in the U.S. The Cherokee operate eight casinos in Oklahoma and the Gold Strike Hotel & Casino in Tunica, Mississippi.

Cherokee Nation Entertainment, the casino gaming arm of the Cherokee Nation, does not currently operate a Las Vegas venue but "remains open to the idea in the long term", according to John Sparks, Chairman of the Cherokee Nation Gaming Commission. Sparks said in July 2024, the tribe is not looking into Las Vegas "just yet". The Cherokee definitely have the financial ability to acquire a Las Vegas casino.

Hard Rock Las Vegas begins transition after The Mirage is closed

Hard Rock International, owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, shut down The Mirage on July 17, 2024 to immediately begin a 30-month transition project to create the future Hard Rock Casino Las Vegas and Guitar Hotel. The opening date is expected in early 4Q 2027.

Mirage Hotel and Casino's closing to have impact on the Vegas Strip - Courtesy of CNBC Television, Jul 17, 2024. Available from YouTube

Immediately after the closing of The Mirage, crews began erecting fencing around the property perimeter and bulldozers were brought in for demotition work, which begins this week with the razing of the volcano.

Hard Rock officials are considering whether to build a public viewing area for visitors to safely watch the progress during construction at the property.

The Hard Rock transition plan is to enlarge the casino, add a guitar-shaped hotel, renovate The Mirage hotel rooms, increase theater capacity, add more convention space, and open more food venues.

The Seminole Tribe own the Hard Rock Casino brand, which it purchased from MGM Resorts International for $1.1 billion in 2007. Today there are Hard Rock Hotel & Casinos in 76 countries.

The Mirage says goodbye with $1.6M cash giveaway

Before The Mirage Casino shuts down permanently on July 17, the casino must give away $1.6 million in cash to comply with Nevada Gaming Commission regulations.

Cash giveaway: Vegas casino required by law to give out $1.6M before it closes - Courtesy of ABC7, Jul 9, 2024. Available from YouTube

The $1.6 million is unclaimed progressive jackpots - $1.2 million from slots and $400,000 from table games. The cash will be given away with progressive slot jackpot drawings held every 30 minutes from 3 pm to 7 pm.

When The Mirage Casino in Las Vegas shuts down permanently on July 17, Hard Rock will begin rebranding and transforming the casino into a new Las Vegas destination resort named Hard Rock Casino Las Vegas and Guitar Hotel. The transformation will be completed in early 4Q 2027.

Hard Rock will close The Mirage on July 17

Hard Rock International will permanently close The Mirage Hotel & Casino on July 17th to start a 3-year transformation of the 80-acre property into the new Hard Rock Casino Las Vegas and Guitar Hotel. The grand opening will be in 2027.

Date set for closure of Mirage to make way for Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas - Courtesy of 8 News Now - Las Vegas, . Available from YouTube

Hard Rock plans to rebrand The Mirage as Hard Rock, expand its casino, renovate all the existing hotel and villa rooms, and add a 596-room, guitar-shaped hotel. The new Guitar Hotel will be located along the Strip and have skyward spotlights to emulate guitar strings at night.

The Hard Rock Casino will be nearly twice the size of The Mirage casino. Hard Rock casino will be 174,000 square-feet (vs. 94,000 square-feet) and feature 2,000 slot machines (vs. 1,164 slot machines). There will also be more hotel rooms. The Guitar Hotel will add 596 rooms to increase the total number of guest rooms on the property to 3,640.

Hard Rock International is owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida.