Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.
Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. began as a short-lived bingo parlor in Reno, Nevada, first formed in 1937 by William (Bill) Fisk Harrah. Bill Harrah re-opened his casino as Harrah’s Tango Club in 1938 and grew the business by acquiring neighboring casinos in Reno. He expanded the Harrah’s brand over time and in 1971, the company made its initial public offering as Harrah’s Inc.
Harrah’s Inc. was purchased by another hotel corporation, Holiday Inns, Inc., after Bill Harrah’s death in 1978. The corporation retained the Harrah’s brand on its existing Nevada hotel-casinos, Harrah’s Reno and Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, and built Harrah’s Del Rio (later renamed Harrah’s Laughlin) in Laughlin, Nevada. The Harrah’s brand expanded into Atlantic City, New Jersey with the construction of Harrah’s Marina (later renamed Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City).
In 1990, The Promus Companies assumed ownership of part of Holiday Inns, Inc.’s former holdings, including the Harrah’s properties. In 1995, The Promus Companies separated its hotel-casinos from its non-gaming hotels, creating Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. as the parent company of the 16 gaming properties. In 2005, Harrah’s Entertainment acquired Caesars Entertainment, Inc. but continued to operate under the Harrah’s Entertainment name until late 2010, when the corporation changed its name to Caesars Entertainment Corporation.
In 2020, Caesars Entertainment and Eldorado Resorts merged and as of 2025, continue to operate as Caesars Entertainment.
Sources:
McGinness, Brett. “Timeline: Harrah's 82-year history in downtown Reno.”
Parmley, Suzette. “The gambling world gets a new top dog - Harrah's.”
“Promus plans corporate split - Harrah's casino division to separate from hotel business.”
