Circus Circus, a fixture on the Las Vegas Strip since 1968, is getting a makeover.
But the venue’s iconic exterior, which features the world’s largest permanent big top, is staying the same. The change is coming inside where International Game Technology is installing its Casino Management System (CMS).
The Circus Circus deployment, planned for the second quarter of 2021, will connect all 1,100 slot machines and table games and will integrate with the property’s food and beverage, retail point-of-sale, and hotel management systems.
The Strip resort was acquired in December 2019 by billionaire Phil Ruffin for $825 million. The deal for the 4,000-room hotel included more than 100 acres on the north end of the Strip, much of it undeveloped. The property was previously owned by MGM Resorts International.
Ruffin, who also owns TI on the Strip, said he plans to close a 10-acre recreational vehicle park adjacent to Circus Circus and it will be replaced with a swimming pool complex similar to Mandalay Bay’s on the south end of the Strip, which includes a wave machine, sand beaches, and a lazy river water ride.
He also planned to upgrade the property’s casino, including the addition of a stadium-style gaming area.
Circus Circus Vice President of Finance Stephan Angeles said in a statement Tuesday the conversion to IGT’s casino management system will enhance guest experiences.
“(It) will modernize our gaming floor, significantly streamlining our operations and helping to enhance patron loyalty and the overall player experience,” Angeles said.
The IGT system includes patron management, a tool that builds customized events and promotions; machine accounting, a reporting tool; the ticket-in-ticket-out cashless voucher system; and cash cage and table game accounting.
IGT’s player tracking hardware will also be part of the conversion, offering customers a way to access account information, messaging, awards, and bonusing applications.
“Our flexible, modular system, which easily integrates with third-party solutions, will transform Circus Circus’ gaming technology infrastructure,” said IGT Senior Vice President Ryan Reddy, “helping them to grow their business while intensifying their focus on delivering highly engaging experiences to their patrons.”
Rege Behe is lead contributor to CDC Gaming Reports. He can be reached at rbehe@cdcgaming.com. Please follow @RegeBehe_exPTR on Twitter.
