On December 28, 2016, Hollywood icon Debbie Reynolds passed away, just one day after the death of her daughter Carrie Fisher. While Hollywood and her fans mourned her passing few knew that for a brief period not only was she a film legend but also a Las Vegas casino owner.
The Debbie Reynolds Hotel & Casino opened in 1993, at the former location of The Paddle Wheel Hotel & Casino. When it opened Debbie Reynolds owned the hotel but the casino operations were operated by a third party.
The casino struggled financially from the start, mainly due to mismanagement by the casino management. The small size of the casino also prevented the hotel from making any profit from the gaming revenue. By 1996 the company contracted to run the casino operations shut down the casino, citing poor revenue and continued losses, leaving only the hotel operating in the location. Debbie Reynolds attempted to obtain a gaming license to operate all casino functions "in-house" but was unable to obtain one due to poor finances and lack of secure credit. This ultimately doomed the hotel also and by 1997 both Debbie Reynolds and the hotel filed for bankruptcy protection.
In 1998 the hotel was sold at auction for $10.65 million and Debbie Reynolds' short-lived Debbie Reynolds Hotel & Casino/Hollywood Movie Museum had come to a close.
The Debbie Reynolds Hotel & Casino opened in 1993, at the former location of The Paddle Wheel Hotel & Casino. When it opened Debbie Reynolds owned the hotel but the casino operations were operated by a third party.
The casino struggled financially from the start, mainly due to mismanagement by the casino management. The small size of the casino also prevented the hotel from making any profit from the gaming revenue. By 1996 the company contracted to run the casino operations shut down the casino, citing poor revenue and continued losses, leaving only the hotel operating in the location. Debbie Reynolds attempted to obtain a gaming license to operate all casino functions "in-house" but was unable to obtain one due to poor finances and lack of secure credit. This ultimately doomed the hotel also and by 1997 both Debbie Reynolds and the hotel filed for bankruptcy protection.
In 1998 the hotel was sold at auction for $10.65 million and Debbie Reynolds' short-lived Debbie Reynolds Hotel & Casino/Hollywood Movie Museum had come to a close.
Debbie Reynolds Casino Chips
Chips from the Debbie Reynolds are a unique addition to any collection of Las Vegas Casino Chips.
The Paddlewheel Hotel & Casino
Before it was the Debbie Reynolds Hotel & Casino/ Hollywood Movie Museum the Paddlewheel Hotel and Casino occupied that location from 1983 to 1993.
