Opening of Circus Circus Hotel and Casino

On 18th October 1968 Circus Circus Las Vegas Hotel & Casino opened its doors.
Although no longer part of the frontage, Circus Circus opened with an acre of water fountains in the front of the ‘Big Top’, which is still the largest permanent big top in the world at 90ft tall.
Costing $15 million, it was designed for adults as a combined casino and amusement center.  The hotel towers were only added later; the first in 1972.  The cocktail waitresses were dressed in majorette outfits and the dealers in polka-dot shirts.  Trapeze artists performed above the heads of the guests and there was a slide from the midway to the gaming floor.
Here are a few photos of construction and the opening from our archives…although there are no photos of the famous Lucky The Clown marquee at the entrance as that was added in 1976!