Downtown Vegas-Style Gaming Venture Led by Circa Owner, Derek Stevens - A sports-centric brand exuding a downtown vibe in the gaming industry
Derek Stevens Transforms Downtown Las Vegas into a Sports Mecca
Derek Stevens, the owner and CEO of Circa Resort & Casino, is revolutionizing the landscape of downtown Las Vegas. With a focus on sports experiences, Stevens has positioned Circa as the newest hotel-casino built downtown, opening in 2020.
Stevens, who previously owned an AAA baseball team in Las Vegas, leveraged his understanding of Vegas as a growing major league sports mecca to create Circa Resort & Casino. The resort, an adults-only casino, offers a unique blend of class and grit, appealing to both advantage players and leisure football fans [1][3][5].
One of Stevens' signature creations at Circa is the World's Largest Sportsbook, a multi-level, stadium-style seating area with a capacity of 1,000. The sportsbook, along with the Stadium Swim aqua theater, the rooftop lounge, and the "Stadium Swim" destination pool amphitheater, make Circa a premier sports destination in downtown Las Vegas [2].
The football contests at Circa, including the Circa Sports Million, Circa Sports Survivor, and the newer Circa Grandissimo Pro Football Contest with a $100,000 entry fee, attract a diverse crowd and create a buzz that draws people to the property [4].
Stevens' influence extends beyond Circa. He also owns the D Las Vegas, Golden Gate Hotel & Casino, Circa | Sports, and Downtown Las Vegas Events Center. The D Las Vegas, acquired by Stevens in 2011, became a downtown hotspot after a complete renovation and rebranding. It features LONGBAR, the ultimate sports-viewing destination west of the Mississippi [6].
Stevens' first investment in downtown Las Vegas was the Golden Gate Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas' original hotel-casino dating back to 1906. He led Golden Gate through several major renovations, preserving its old-school charm while renewing its legacy [7].
In 2014, Stevens acquired the Las Vegas Club, a casino that had been in Vegas for probably 40 years, and used the land to create Circa Resort & Casino. Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, also acquired by Stevens, is a versatile outdoor sports and entertainment venue that can accommodate up to 11,000 guests [8].
Despite reported declines in visitor numbers, Stevens remains optimistic about the future of Las Vegas tourism. He emphasizes that Circa and downtown casinos benefit from local patronage and value-oriented offerings, and that Las Vegas’s economic prospects, particularly in gaming revenue, are still strong overall [1][5].
Stevens is one of the few independent casino resort operators remaining in Las Vegas. He believes that independent operators like Circa, the D, Ellis Island, and El Cortez add unique value to Las Vegas and are appreciated by the larger companies [9]. By making Circa an adult-only property, Stevens aims to create a better customer service situation and differentiate themselves from competitors [10].
In summary, Derek Stevens is a key figure behind the creation and success of Circa Resort & Casino, focusing on making it a premier, sports-focused destination in downtown Las Vegas. He actively defends the vitality of Las Vegas’s casino industry amid economic challenges [1][3][5].
At Circa Resort & Casino, Derek Stevens has transformed the property into a sports-centric haven, offering a blend of casino-games and sports-betting, making it appealing to both casino enthusiasts and sports fans alike. In downtown Las Vegas, the World's Largest Sportsbook at Circa Resort & Casino stands as a testament to Stevens' commitment to creating a premier casino-and-gambling destination that also caters to sports, specifically football fans.
