CasaBlanca
Location Mesquite, Nevada, Nevada 89027
Address 950 West Mesquite Boulevard
Opening dateJune 29, 1995; 29 years ago (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

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Players Island

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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

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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

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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

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

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

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