To commemorate the end of an iconic era in Las Vegas history, The Mirage Hotel & Casino will host a ceremonial event on July 17 before it closes for good. 

The Mirage to Close Ahead of Schedule to Make Way for Hard Rock’s Ambitious Plans

Starting at 9 a.m., speeches will be given by gaming industry luminaries Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International and CEO of Seminole Gaming, Joe Lupo, president of The Mirage, and Alan Feldman with UNLV International Gaming Institute.

The closure will come at 11 a.m. the same day and signals the end of the first megaresort on the Las Vegas Strip. It is in stark contrast to April’s unheralded closing of the Tropicana Las Vegas. 

Hard Rock International, which bought The Mirage from MGM Resorts International for $1 billion in December 2022, has vowed to honor its history-making.

Josh Swissman, founding partner at GMA Consulting, said The Mirage changed everything about Las Vegas, as reported by CDC Gaming. He listed the volcano and atrium shows, Siegfried & Roy shows and the aquarium as revolutionary attractions that redefined the Strip together. Swissman said this is a new era led by a tribally owned and operated gaming enterprise.

Oliver Lovat, CEO of Denstone Group, said The Mirage was “the big one” that paved the way for more 3,000-room resorts like Bellagio and MGM Grand.

But even with its success still buoyed by customers who have been loyal to it for nearly three decades, The Mirage is closing ahead of schedule to accommodate Hard Rock’s ambitious plans for its redevelopment.

The Mirage’s Demise Marks the Beginning of a New Era on the Strip

The Hard Rock redevelopment project will include a 700-foot guitar-shaped hotel tower along with another theater, additional retail and convention space, and a significant expansion of the casino floor space. It is expected to double employment from what exists at The Mirage today during construction alone while keeping thousands more workers long-term after completion.

In the final days leading up to its closure, The Mirage has been a hive of activity with a six-day, $1.6 million cash giveaway, attracting thousands of visitors. Guests have been enjoying their last moments at the property, and gaming activities will officially cease around midnight on July 17.

After closure, memorabilia from the resort will be auctioned off in mid-August for employees to bid on, while some of the resort’s iconic signage may be preserved by the Neon Museum.

Hard Rock Las Vegas expects to open its doors in spring 2027 with the new Guitar Hotel, which promises an energetic new chapter for The Mirage site. This transformation aims to improve Las Vegas tourism and bring another wave of freshness to the Strip’s offerings.

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Less than one month after the grand opening of the Fontainebleau Las Vegas resort, the latest chapter in the 70-year history of the iconic Fontainebleau brand, chief operating officer Colleen Birch and chief marketing officer Shane Smith have announced their voluntary resignations. 

Three High-Profile Exits So Far

The two join the resort’s now former senior vice president of casino operations, Michael Clifford, who made a similar announcement some two weeks ago. 

Through a statement issued by a resort representative, Fontainebleau Las Vegas thanked COO Birch and CMO Smith “for their contributions” while wishing them well in the future. 

The ex-CMO joined the resort at the start of 2023 thanks to his rich expertise in casino and development which included two years at Witkoff, the real estate company that temporarily owned the unfinished property prior to Fontainebleau Development. 

There, the Stanford graduate showcased his skills in development and strategy. Smith was also vice president, marketing & customer experience at The Palazzo at The Venetian and he spent two and a half years as chief of staff and chief marketing officer at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

Birch was appointed COO for the resort in November 2022. In the past, she was The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas’ senior vice president of revenue optimization. She also took the position of revenue management director at Fontainebleau Las Vegas for ten months in 2008.

Ushering in “a New Era of Luxury Hospitality”

The $3.7 billion North Strip property with 67 stories is expected to usher in “a new era of luxury hospitality” for Fontainebleau Las Vegas. 

The casino spreads across 150,000 square feet and is joined by Savor Fontainebleau Las Vegas’ selection of “delectable restaurants, bars, and cafes, fit for any variety of craving or the most memorable occasions,” vibrant entertainment options and nightlife, and over 3,600 hotel rooms and suites.

The official opening date of the resort “built upon a legacy of sublime beauty, unparalleled service, and timeless design” was set for December 13, 2023, after it obtained the necessary approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission. 

The original concept of the resort was announced in 2005, right after Florida-based developer Jeff Soffer bought the historic Miami Beach property.

Last November, Nevada Gaming Control Board’s chairman, Kirk Hendrick, expressed the Board’s excitement to finally witness the project that has taken two decades to finally come to life. 

He added the resort would bring shine and glamour to a part of the Vegas Strip that has not been busy in a while. 

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Despite only serving as CEO for less than a year, Eriksen was instrumental in advancing many of the operator’s safe gambling policies and social initiatives. He will remain with the company for a few more months to assist in the search for his successor and ensure a smooth transition. The leadership change should not disrupt Norsk Tipping as the company continues to serve as an example to operators worldwide.

The CEO leaves behind a legacy of success

Eriksen took up the leadership position at Norsk Tipping in September 2022 after previous CEO Åsne Havenelid stepped down due to personal reasons. Despite his short tenure, Eriksen contributed significantly to the operator’s safe gambling initiatives, advancing several milestone campaigns and focusing on charity efforts. His people-oriented mindset earned him the respect of his colleagues, who wished him luck in his future endeavors.

According to official data, the reason behind Eriksen’s premature departure is his new position as CEO of Bane Nor, the national agency managing Norway’s railways. The government likely noticed Eriksen’s success, deciding to direct his talents where they would make the most significant impact. The CEO was sad to leave his position but expressed content in his progress, thanking the Norsk Tipping team.

In one year, I have become very happy with Norsk Tipping’s social mission and our employees. Overseeing a strong and future-oriented Norwegian railways is exciting and something I have chosen to accept.

Lars Buer Eriksen, Norsk Tipping CEO

Eriksen will remain at the helm of Norsk Tipping until 1 October, assisting the operator with securing a worthy successor and ensuring a smooth transfer of responsibilities aligned with the company’s values. The recruitment process will likely involve careful consideration of candidates with a strong understanding of the gambling industry and a commitment to responsible gambling practices and innovative strategies. 

Norsk Tipping retains its focus on safe gambling

Norsk Tipping’s future CEO will have the challenging mission of leading the country’s sole regulated operator, keeping up with the company’s community-focused efforts. From January to April, the operator donated $24 million to good causes, allowing gamblers to choose their supported organization. Such funding is part of its Grassroots Share (Grasrotandelen) program allocating 7% of gamblers’ bets to charity.

The monopoly also invests significantly in safe gambling initiatives, mitigating the harmful social impact associated with the industry. Under Eriksen’s management, Norsk Tipping introduced new loss limits for younger players under 20, focusing on customers facing higher risks of gambling-related harm. The company also ceased its TV sports betting advertisements after the country’s broadcasters vowed to stop promoting unlicensed operators.

While Lars Buer Eriksen’s departure as head of Norsk Tipping marks a significant transition for the state-owned gambling operator, searching for a new CEO presents an opportunity to bring fresh perspectives and strategies. The company’s new leader will face the challenge of maintaining Norsk Tipping’s responsible gambling efforts while adapting to emerging market trends.

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