John D. "Jackie" Gaughan, Sr. (born October 24, 1920) is a casino

Casino

In modern English, a casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions...

 owner and operator from the early 1950s in Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...

, Nevada

Nevada

Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...

. Jackie is a native of Omaha

Omaha, Nebraska

Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...

, Nebraska

Nebraska

Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....

 who currently calls the El Cortez

El Cortez

The El Cortez, a hotel and casino is a relatively small downtown Las Vegas gaming venue a block from the Fremont Street Experience and Las Vegas Boulevard. The official marketing slogan has been "Where locals come to play" since the El Cortez has traditionally attracted Las Vegas residents weary of...

 home. He is often seen daily on the El Cortez's modest size casino floor which begins at the hotel's front desk and main entrance doors. Many players have been surprised by his unpretentious manner and willingness to talk about "old Las Vegas".

Family

• Jackie Gaughan Jr. (November 24, 1947 - November 10, 2002) had ownership interests in the El Cortez and The Gold Spike.
• Michael Gaughan took over many of the day to day operations of Jackie Gaughan's casinos over the years. He also owns the rights to operate slot concession at McCarran International Airport
  McCarran International Airport
  McCarran International Airport is the principal commercial airport serving Las Vegas and Clark County, Nevada, United States. The airport is located five miles south of the central business district of Las Vegas, in the unincorporated area of Paradise in Clark County. It covers an area of and...
  
   under the name Michael Gaughan Airport Slots.
• Grandson, Brendan Gaughan
  Brendan Gaughan
  Brendan Gaughan is an American stock car driver. Gaughan is the grandson of Vegas gaming pioneer Jackie Gaughan and son of Michael Gaughan, a hotel and casino magnate. Gaughan currently drives the #62 South Point Hotel & Casino Toyota Tundra for Germain Racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck...
  
   is a NASCAR
  NASCAR
  The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
  
   Nationwide Series driver.

Biography

Gaughan earned a degree from Creighton University

Creighton University

Creighton University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1878, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. The university is accredited by...

 in Omaha, Nebraska

Omaha, Nebraska

Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...

 before moving to Nevada

Nevada

Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...

 during World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

 as an enlisted man. He first got involved in setting spreads for sporting events while working part-time at legal horse racing

Horse racing

Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...

 tracks around Omaha. After the war he stayed in Las Vegas and purchased the El Cortez

El Cortez

The El Cortez, a hotel and casino is a relatively small downtown Las Vegas gaming venue a block from the Fremont Street Experience and Las Vegas Boulevard. The official marketing slogan has been "Where locals come to play" since the El Cortez has traditionally attracted Las Vegas residents weary of...

. The El Cortez was formerly owned by Bugsy Seigel who sold it to finance the Flamingo.
On March 25, 2004, Barrick Gaming

Barrick Gaming Corporation

Barrick Gaming Corporation is a private company that was founded by D.W. Barrick and Stephen Crystal. The company formerly operated several hotels and casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada...

 purchased four of Jackie's downtown casinos for $82 million. Under Gaughan's casino ownership, places like the El Cortez, have tried to value a diverse workforce. In recognition of this practice, the University of Nebraska named a new on campus student center "The Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center".

Casino involvement

• Boulder Club
• Flamingo Las Vegas
  Flamingo Las Vegas
  The Flamingo Las Vegas is a hotel casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada and is owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment Corp.. The property offers a casino along with 3,626 hotel rooms...
  
  
• The Vegas Club 1961-2004
• El Cortez
  El Cortez
  The El Cortez, a hotel and casino is a relatively small downtown Las Vegas gaming venue a block from the Fremont Street Experience and Las Vegas Boulevard. The official marketing slogan has been "Where locals come to play" since the El Cortez has traditionally attracted Las Vegas residents weary of...
  
   1963-
• The Western
  The Western
  The Western Hotel and Casino is a casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The hotel is closed and the casino is owned by the Tamares Group and operated by Navegante....
  
   1970-2004
• Plaza Hotel & Casino
  Plaza Hotel & Casino
  The Plaza Hotel & Casino is a casino-hotel located in downtown Las Vegas, Nevada owned by the Tamares Group and Play LV is the leaseholder and operator of the property. It currently has 1,037 rooms and suites, as well as an casino and there is more than of event space...
  
   1971-2004
• Royal Inn Casino 1972-
• Golden Nugget Las Vegas
  Golden Nugget Las Vegas
  The Golden Nugget Las Vegas is a luxury casino-hotel located in Las Vegas, Nevada on the Fremont Street Experience. The property is owned and operated by Landry's Restaurants....
  
   -1973
• The Gold Spike 1985-2004
• Showboat Hotel & Casino
• Showboat Casino, Atlantic City
• Ambassador East Hotel Resort Casino