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Source/Full Story - GamingAmerica'
After a promotion that saw $1.6m in winnings given away as required by Nevada regulators and one final volcano
explosion display, the Mirage Hotel and Casino has closed its doors after a 34-year standing on the Las Vegas strip.
The property held a closing ceremony on July 17, featuring many prominent names in the Las Vegas gaming and hospitality
industries including Mirage President Joe Lupo and Hard Rock International Chairman and Seminole Gaming CEO Jim Allen.
“It's a historic day for the city, we’re really looking forward to paying our respects to the Mirage in a very compassionate way.
Not only for the leaders, but for the employees who have played such a big role over the last 34 years,” Lupo told
Gaming America before the ceremony began.
“It's a transcendent property and we hope Hard Rock in 2027 brings another transcendent property to this location.
It's going to be as iconic as the Mirage was in 1989.”
Hard Rock International acquired the Mirage from MGM Resorts for $1.075bn in 2022 and initially announced plans to update
the hotel and casino back in November of 2023. The rebranded property has an early estimated opening set for 2027.
The new design will include a complete overhaul of the site, including the development of a new 700-ft guitar-shaped hotel,
which is set to be featured in the center of the Las Vegas strip.
During this period of closure, Hard Rock International organized $80m worth of severance packages,
set to be paid to all eligible union and non-union employees.
“Closing the Mirage is a very humbling experience. We have committed $80m in severance and really hope that many of
the employees leaving will choose to come back and see us,” Allen said during the ceremony.
“That is the legacy of the Mirage, hotels are only as good as the service we offer to our guests. We will not and cannot
compromise making business decisions that are not of an employee mindset. Mirage was never about building a casino,
but a destination and integrated resort.”
After a promotion that saw $1.6m in winnings given away as required by Nevada regulators and one final volcano
explosion display, the Mirage Hotel and Casino has closed its doors after a 34-year standing on the Las Vegas strip.
The property held a closing ceremony on July 17, featuring many prominent names in the Las Vegas gaming and hospitality
industries including Mirage President Joe Lupo and Hard Rock International Chairman and Seminole Gaming CEO Jim Allen.
“It's a historic day for the city, we’re really looking forward to paying our respects to the Mirage in a very compassionate way.
Not only for the leaders, but for the employees who have played such a big role over the last 34 years,” Lupo told
Gaming America before the ceremony began.
“It's a transcendent property and we hope Hard Rock in 2027 brings another transcendent property to this location.
It's going to be as iconic as the Mirage was in 1989.”
Hard Rock International acquired the Mirage from MGM Resorts for $1.075bn in 2022 and initially announced plans to update
the hotel and casino back in November of 2023. The rebranded property has an early estimated opening set for 2027.
The new design will include a complete overhaul of the site, including the development of a new 700-ft guitar-shaped hotel,
which is set to be featured in the center of the Las Vegas strip.
During this period of closure, Hard Rock International organized $80m worth of severance packages,
set to be paid to all eligible union and non-union employees.
“Closing the Mirage is a very humbling experience. We have committed $80m in severance and really hope that many of
the employees leaving will choose to come back and see us,” Allen said during the ceremony.
“That is the legacy of the Mirage, hotels are only as good as the service we offer to our guests. We will not and cannot
compromise making business decisions that are not of an employee mindset. Mirage was never about building a casino,
but a destination and integrated resort.”
