Circa Las Vegas Might Disrupt Revenue Uptick Of Boyd Casinos Downtown

Written By Marc Meltzer on February 25, 2019

When Boyd Gaming executives announced revenues for the fourth quarter and full year of 2018, they were quite ecstatic. The news also pleased investors who saw the stock surge by about 10 percent the following morning.

Boyd Gaming in downtown Las Vegas

The national casino operator reported another successful quarter and year in Las Vegas. The Orleans had an all-time high fourth quarter at its three downtown Las Vegas properties – Main Street Station, Fremont, and California – which continue to see growth.

A word of caution has been issued regarding downtown Las Vegas casinos. Boyd Gaming predicts a slump in business for its downtown Las Vegas properties over the forthcoming two years. The building of a new casino, Circa Resort & Casino, could possibly disrupt operations at the California and Main Street Station.

Boyd Gaming executives are optimistic about the surge of customers in downtown Las Vegas once construction is finished, even with warnings of possible revenue disruption. Circa will not only be a new addition, but it will also be distinct from the other casinos in downtown Las Vegas.

Circa in Las Vegas

Developers and brothers Derek and Greg Stevens are constructing the Circa Resort & Casino. This marks the first casino to be built from scratch in downtown Las Vegas since 1980. Interestingly, the current casino in that building is owned by the Stevens brothers. They also own and run Golden Gate and The D, the latter of which used to be Fitzgerald’s casino, the casino that opened in 1980.

Construction has already begun on the Circa, and customers can expect it to be completed by December 2020. This new casino is being erected on the land formerly housing the Las Vegas Club and several adjacent businesses.

The Circa hotel and casino will be situated across the street from the California. Its parking garage will be constructed opposite the hotel and adjacent to Main Street Station. In total, Circa will boast a colossal property footprint of 1.25 million square feet.

New look and old attitude

Circa plans to introduce numerous modern facilities and technology to downtown Las Vegas. At the same time, the Stevens brothers aim to maintain the traditional downtown Vegas atmosphere. Similar to their other properties, Circa is committed to upholding the tradition of exceptional and friendly service.

They will also maintain the physical presence of Vintage Vegas. Despite the revamped and contemporary feel of the casino, elements of Old Vegas will always be within reach. The legendary kickin’ cowgirl, Vegas Vickie, will continue to be a prominent feature within the casino. At the same time, the latest casino games will envelop the iconic sign.

When the Circa opens in late 2020, customers will witness the juxtaposition of old and new throughout the venue.

Circa Las Vegas is not just another new casino

A lot of the casino-hotels in downtown Las Vegas are situated in aged buildings. This is because the Fremont Street area, where they’re located, was constructed at a time when everything was smaller, including casinos and hotels. However, Circa, a new addition, will present a different appearance and offer features that are typically not found in downtown Las Vegas.

The colossal pool deck and amphitheater, spanning across multiple levels, can accommodate up to 4,000 individuals. The facilities will encompass numerous pools and cabanas, a performance area, and a gigantic 125″ TV screen. The casino-resort will also feature some unique aspects such as:

  • 777 suites and hotel rooms
  • Casino with two levels
  • Revitalizing spa
  • Ride-sharing optimized garage
  • The biggest outdoor bar on Fremont Street
  • Broadcast studios with multilevel sportsbook

Compared to most properties in downtown Las Vegas, Circa is set to be a colossal casino-resort. It is planned to take up an entire city block. The supplementary garage, a separate entity, will provide 1,200 parking spaces across the street from the main casino and hotel. Circa aims to attract both tourists and locals of Las Vegas seeking an enjoyable night out.

Taking sportsbooks to another level

Circa intends to provide traditional casino gaming across two levels, with an additional level dedicated to the sportsbook. The sportsbook of Circa will feature the largest screen in its history, standing at an impressive height of three stories.

The sportsbook will feature stadium seating for guests across two floors. The third floor will accommodate multiple broadcast studios, and an additional studio will be situated on the sportsbook’s first floor.

The Stevens brothers declared a partnership with the Vegas Stats and Information Network (VSiN) last year. This agreement is not your ordinary partnership, as the Stevens brothers also hold a 10 percent ownership stake in VSiN. The studio for this venture is planned to be situated on the first floor.

The Circa sportsbook aims to instill in visitors the sense of wonder that Derek Stevens experienced when he first entered the Las Vegas SuperBook at what is now known as the Westgate Las Vegas, formerly the Las Vegas Hilton.