Golden Nugget

Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino Las Vegas History

The Golden Nugget started in 1946. After Steve Wynn bought a stake in the Golden Nugget, he built the first tower in 1977 with the second tower and showroom being built in 1984. In 1989 the third tower was built. In 2000, the Golden Nugget was sold to MGM Grand.

In 2003, the Golden Nugget was sold for $215 million to Poster Financial Group. A major upgrade was made to the gambling operations
installing cashless slot machines and higher table game stakes.

On September 27, 2005, the Houston Texas based Landry’s Inc closed the sale for the Golden Nugget. Several renovation projects were initiated and completed in November 2006, in December 2007 and on November 20, 2009.

The Golden Nugget has on display the world’s gold nugget in the Golden Nugget lobby. The record nugget weighs 60 pounds and is 18 inches in length. The nugget was found near Kingower, Victoria Australia. It has been on display at the Golden Nugget since 1981.

The original, famous Golden Nugget sign was removed in 1984 after one of the renovations. It presently sits at the YESCO signage yard.

The renovated resort is built around two large aquariums. The largest of the two aquariums contains a slide through the tank containing fully grown sharks. The Chart House restaurant at the Golden Nugget has a view of one of the aquariums. The pool is a $30 million 3 level attraction with a slide through the center of the tank, hidden grottos, swim up bars, jacuzzis and more.

Five specialty restaurants were added to the Golden Nugget including Vic and Anthony’s Steakhouse, Grotto Ristorante, Lillie’s Asian Cuisine, Red Sushi and Chart House.