Las Vegas casino pioneer Jackie Gaughan, grandfather of NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Brendan Gaughan, passed away Wednesday at age 93. Mr. Gaughan lived out his final years in an apartment high atop the El Cortez Hotel and Casino – even after selling the property to new owners – and was such an icon on the Las Vegas Strip that the new owners allowed him to remain in the apartment with 24-hour care. At one time, he controlled an estimated 25 percent of the city’s downtown gaming revenue, and owned all or part of such legendary casinos as the Golden Nugget, Showboat, Gold Spike, Union Plaza, Boulder Club, Las Vegas Club, Western and El Cortez. His passing drew tributes from giants of the industry and state government. (Godfather Motorsports)(3-12-2014)
AND: Funeral services are pending. In lieu of flowers, the Gaughan family asks that donations be made to Bishop Gorman High School. The El Cortez said it would hold a celebration of Gaughan’s life on Tuesday at 2 p.m. in The Parlour Bar with champagne and cake. The event is open to the public. (Las Vegas Review- Journal)
