Harrah's Lake Tahoe
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hospitality, Gaming |
| Founded | 1955 |
| Founder | William F. Harrah |
| Headquarters | Stateline , United States |
Area served | South Lake Tahoe area |
| Owner | Vici Properties |
| Parent | Caesars Entertainment |
Harrah's Lake Tahoe is a hotel and casino located in Stateline, Nevada, named in honor of its founder, William F. Harrah. The property is owned by Vici Properties and managed by Caesars Entertainment. It boasts an 18-story building comprising 512 guest rooms along with a casino, making it one of the largest resort destinations near South Lake Tahoe.
History
The origins of Harrah's trace back to January 1955 when William F. Harrah acquired George's Gateway Club for $500,000 in the Lake Tahoe area. This establishment was launched as the Harrah's Lake Club on June 20, 1955, and was later renamed Harveys Lake Tahoe. In 1956, the property was sold to Harvey Gross for $5.25 million, marking the highest price paid for a casino at that time. That same year, Harrah expanded his holdings by purchasing interests in the neighboring Stateline Country Club and Nevada Club, leading to the creation of Harrah's Stateline Club.
In 1959, the resort introduced the South Shore Room showroom at an investment of $3.5 million. This venue accommodated 750 patrons and positioned entertainment as a central feature of the resort experience. Renowned performers such as comedian Red Skelton and the orchestra led by Guy Lombardo contributed to elevating the resort’s appeal.
The interiors of Harrah's were showcased in the 1962 film 40 Pounds of Trouble, which had its premiere at the South Shore Room in 1963. The venue also gained notoriety for hosting significant events including the 1963 kidnapping of Frank Sinatra Jr., highlighting its cultural significance.
Following Harrah's initial public offering in 1971, financing was secured to construct an $25-million, 18-story hotel tower featuring 250 rooms. This hotel opened on November 9, 1973, with each room outfitted with premium amenities such as fully stocked bars and bathrooms equipped with televisions and telephones. Notably, this hotel was awarded the first five-star diamond rating ever given to a casino property. An additional expansion in 1976 added 290 more rooms.
Although the property experienced minor damage during the August 1980 bombing at nearby Harvey's Lake Tahoe, it continued operations without interruption. A comprehensive $26 million refurbishment in 2000 enhanced various aspects including the casino floor, guest accommodations, and dining venues like the Forest Buffet and Friday's Station.
In December 2005, a shooting incident near the casino resulted in one death and injuries to two law enforcement officers.
Between 2005 and 2007, Caesars Entertainment executed major upgrades: transforming hotel floors into mini suites with upscale furnishings; renovating the lobby area; establishing a food court; and opening Park Place Jewelers, a luxury retail outlet. In 2008, they debuted Gi Fu Loh, a fine dining Chinese/Cantonese restaurant.
On October 6, 2017, ownership was transferred to Vici Properties through a corporate spin-off arrangement while Caesars Entertainment retained operational control under a leaseback agreement.
The resort is connected to Harvey's via an underground passageway that includes an arcade and live entertainment at Sammy Hagar's CaboWabo.