Caesars Lake Tahoe, now known as Bally’s Lake Tahoe, has undergone significant changes and rebranding over the years. From its initial opening as Park Tahoe in 1978 to its current status as Bally’s Lake Tahoe, this iconic resort has a rich history filled with entertainment, celebrity visits, and notable events.
History of Caesars Lake Tahoe
Park Tahoe (1978–1979)
The casino first opened in 1978 as Park Tahoe, built by Park Cattle Co. It was designed by Daniel, Mann, Johnson & Mendenhall and constructed by Del E. Webb Corporation. Caesars World took over the next year under a 25-year lease, with options to extend it another 50 years.
Caesars Tahoe (1979–2006)
Caesars agreed to spend $40 million to complete construction of the hotel portion of the property, which was renamed as Caesars Tahoe Palace and later simply Caesars Tahoe. It was known for its top entertainment offerings, hosting famous artists like Dean Martin, Cher, and Tony Bennett. The property was remodeled with a Roman theme.
MontBleu (2006–2021)
Caesars Entertainment sold the resort in June 2005 for $45 million to Columbia Sussex, owner of the nearby Horizon Casino. It was rebranded as MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa in May 2006. After the bankruptcy of Columbia’s gaming businesses, MontBleu became part of the reorganized Tropicana Entertainment in March 2010.
Bally’s Lake Tahoe (2021–present)
In 2020, Eldorado acquired Caesars Entertainment (the former Harrah’s) and changed its own name to Caesars Entertainment. This merger necessitated the sale of one of the companies’ properties in Stateline to gain approval from FTC antitrust regulators. To satisfy this requirement, the company sold the operations of the MontBleu to Bally’s Corporation for $15 million. The property was rebranded as Bally’s Lake Tahoe in November 2021.
Notable Incidents and Events
Entertainment and Celebrity Visits
Caesars Tahoe was known for hosting famous artists and comedians, including Dean Martin, Cher, Mac Davis, Jimmy Buffett, Glen Campbell, Tony Bennett, George Carlin, Johnny Carson, Jerry Seinfeld, and many others. Celebrities like Michael Jordan, Randy Quaid, and Kenny Rogers would also play games in the casino.
American Century Championship Golf Tournament
Caesars Tahoe was the host hotel and title sponsor of the American Century Championship golf tournament at nearby Edgewood Golf Course every July until 2004. After Caesars sold the hotel in 2005, the title sponsorship and host switched to Harrah’s/Harveys Casinos.
Championship Boxing Events
In its earlier years, Caesars Tahoe was home to title fights for championship boxing events.
Film Appearance
MontBleu and the Horizon appeared as the Nomad Hotel in the 2007 film Smokin’ Aces during the Caesars-to-MontBleu transition.
Specifications and Details
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Stateline, Nevada, U.S. |
| Address | 55 U.S. Route 50 |
| Opening Date | 1978 |
| Number of Rooms | 438 |
| Total Gaming Space | 48,456 sq ft (4,501.7 m²) |
| Permanent Shows | Bally’s Showroom Convention Center |
| Signature Attractions | Opal Nightclub, Blu Nightclub, Onsen Spa, Puzzle Room, and more. |
References
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bally%27s_Lake_Tahoe
- https://www.nnbw.com/news/2021/jul/08/nevadas-montbleu-casino-changes-name-ballys-lake-t/
- https://www.caesars.com/lake-tahoe
- https://www.caesars.com/harrahs-tahoe
- https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/CAESARS-TAHOE-TO-BECOME-MONTBLEU-2535838.php